Steven Bowditch arrested for extreme drink-driving in Phoenix
Australian golfer Steven Bowditch was arrested under suspicion of drink-driving in the early hours of last Friday morning in Phoenix.
Fox10 Phoenix reported that Australian golfer Steven Bowditch was arrested in the early hours of Friday morning after police noticed a car being driven erratically.
The car turned out to be the courtesy car provided by the Waste Management Phoenix Open Bowditch was playing in.
After seeing the car then sit through two sets of green lights, police woke up 33-year-old Bowditch where he recorded a blood alcohol level of 0.204, and arrested on a charge of ‘Extreme DUI’.
NEW: #PGA player Steven Bowditch arrested early this morning for extreme dui by Scottsdale PD. Made his tee time but will miss cut. #WMPO pic.twitter.com/1HtZPs6JI9
— FOX 10 Phoenix (@FOX10Phoenix) February 3, 2017
Bowditch looked to be turning around a year of poor form before arriving in Phoenix. However the two-time PGA Tour winner had carded a 3-over par opening round at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
Incredibly, Bowditch managed to make it to the second round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, shoot 74 and miss the cut.
Bowditch released a statement on Friday night:
“I would like to apologize to my family, friends and supporters, as well as the PGA TOUR and Waste Management Phoenix Open for the incident reported today. As I intend to fully cooperate with the authorities, I will not be making further comment at this stage.”
Later, Bowditch responded to the arrest on Twitter after the news broke:
Life is about choices. Last night I made a very poor one. I’m very sorry to those I have disappointed. I must and will, do better.
— bowdo (@bowdo83) February 4, 2017
Many fellow professional golfers have rallied behind Bowditch after the poor decision including Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell.
Mistakes happen. Life is not always what it appears on tour. Sometimes it’s tough. Hang in there Bowdo. Good things happen to good people. https://t.co/Sg07SmGdQy
— Darren Clarke (@DarrenClarke60) February 4, 2017
Always pulling for you brother #staystrong https://t.co/g5tkSCEWT8
— Graeme McDowell (@Graeme_McDowell) February 4, 2017
Why report this, it seems he needs support more than criticism. Sometimes life is tough and we make decisions that are not one of our best. We live and learn by our mistakes.