The man behind the wheel of Maltbie's roving golf cart at the U.S. Open was arrested after driving it into a state trooper, said a North Carolina Highway Patrol spokesperson.
Cart driver Tommy Lineberry was taken from Pinehurst Golf Course to the Moore County jail and charged with driving while impaired and resisting an officer, according to authorities.
Maltbie was walking with the final group of Martin Kaymer and Brendon Todd when the incident is said to have occurred. Lineberry's job is to drive Maltbie to get in position for the next shots.
The officer was not hurt but really upset because, according to him, the driver ran over his foot when leaving the tee area. An Associated Press reporter who witnessed the incident heard Lineberry tell the trooper, "I'm supposed to get the cart to Roger" and took off.
The cop then chased after the cart on sandy surface just outside the gallery ropes while yelling, “Stop! Stop!” and “Come back here.”
"When a state trooper tells you to stop, THAT'S what you're supposed to do," the trooper responded, inches from Lineberry's face after he climbed into the back of the cart and put his arms around the driver's shoulders.
Maltbie came over to try to help his friend and colleague to no avail.
“This is a new one,” Maltbie said walking down the 11th fairway. “I’ve been to a couple of rodeos and a county fair and I’ve never had this happen.”
NBC Sports is aware of the incident but declined further comment.
