How much would spend on a golf hat? $50? $100? What’s the number that would make you walk away even in pro shops like Bandon, Pebble or Pine Valley? Well, for at least one golf fan, that number is a lot larger than you might think.
This weekend, a simple white Nike golf cap—unremarkable in almost every way except for one—sold at a Kids Cancer Alliance charity auction for a whopping $2,375. But this wasn’t just any old hat. It was the exact one Scottie Scheffler wore while firing a five-under 66 on Friday at Valhalla, hours after he was arrested and charged with the felony assault of Detective Bryan Gillis.
Easily one of the most surreal and impressive performances of his historic season, Scheffler’s second round at the 2024 PGA Championship will be remembered for years to come. When golf fans woke up Friday morning and saw Scheffler’s mug shot, orange prison jumpsuit and all, no one thought the Masters champ would finish the tournament, let alone post his best round of the week a few hours later. Now the hat that witnessed it all—and was subsequently signed by Scheffler—will live out its days as an incredible anecdote in someone’s collection. That’s pretty cool, no matter the price.
Over two grand is still too steep for us for any hat, even one as unique this, but we’re glad the proceeds went to a good cause. Here’s hoping that Detective Gillis’ ruined pants will one day do the same.
Main Image: Maddie Meyer/PGA of America