Scottie Scheffler Dealt with ‘Painful’ Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease While Playing BMW Championship

**Scottie Scheffler Battles Through Illness at BMW Championship**

World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler faced a challenging week at the BMW Championship, which culminated on Sunday, August 23, with a 12th-place finish in the FedEx Cup playoff event held in St. Louis. The 30-year-old athlete revealed that he had contracted hand, foot, and mouth disease, a common illness often associated with young children but which can affect anyone.

Speaking to reporters after the tournament, Scheffler explained the difficulties he encountered in gripping his clubs due to the illness. “To start the week, it was pretty painful to grip the club,” he stated. “If I was smarter, maybe I would have pulled out, but I was playing so good. I felt like if I could knock it out quickly and get through the first couple of rounds, I would still have a chance.”

Scheffler’s struggle began on Monday night when he first became ill. He noted that while he was playing well, the physical demands of golf and the heat might have contributed to his body feeling drained. “Then it hit me pretty good all week,” he added, explaining the frustration of managing his game while battling illness.

According to the Mayo Clinic, hand, foot, and mouth disease is a mild illness caused by a variety of viruses, with symptoms typically featuring fever, sore throat, and rashes on the hands and feet. Throughout the tournament, Scheffler reported painful blisters and a persistent scratchy throat, which impacted his performance and led him to decline media interviews on Thursday.

As the week progressed, Scheffler appeared to recover somewhat, shooting three rounds in the 60s after his initial struggles. Unfortunately, it proved to be too little too late for a top-spot comeback. Wyndham Clark dominated the event, claiming victory by three shots with an impressive score of -17, while Patrick Cantlay trailed behind.

Rory McIlroy, who had a disappointing outing the previous week, managed a strong return by finishing in third place. Although Scheffler’s performance was affected by his illness, he expressed a sense of relief on Sunday, noting that he felt progressively better as the tournament advanced. He even found himself nearly shaking hands with fellow competitor Cameron Young, momentarily forgetting his ailment.

Heading into the Tour Championship this coming weekend, Scheffler remains steadfastly positioned as the top seed in the FedEx Cup standings for the fifth consecutive year. In a sport where resilience is key, he took pride in his ability to persevere despite the unexpected setback.

“I’ve never been one to pull out of a tournament, especially in the middle of it,” Scheffler remarked. “That’s really frustrating for me. So I definitely didn’t want to do that going into this week, even though it was suggested. I’m proud of how I fought.”

With his health gradually improving, although still dealing with throat discomfort, Scheffler appears ready to tackle the upcoming challenges in the Tour Championship. As he prepares, his experience at the BMW Championship serves as a testament to his determination and commitment to the sport.

As one of golf’s top athletes, Scheffler’s willingness to compete through illness is not only commendable but also highlights the demands faced by professional golfers. As the championship approaches, fans and fellow competitors alike will be watching closely to see how Scheffler manages both his health and the pressures of high-stakes competition.