World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler revealed he played through hand-foot-and-mouth disease during the BMW Championship, finishing tied for 12th despite painful blisters on his hands, feet, and throat.
Scheffler, who won the FedEx St. Jude Championship the prior week, was diagnosed with the viral illness on Monday night ahead of the tournament. The condition, typically affecting children, caused significant discomfort, particularly in gripping the club.
‘Pretty painful to grip the club’
Speaking to reporters after the tournament, Scheffler described the severity of his symptoms: “I got the hand, foot, and mouth, so you’ve got blisters on your hands, and in your throat, and on your feet. So, to start the week, it was pretty painful to grip the club.”
He acknowledged that withdrawing might have been the smarter decision but emphasized his determination to compete: “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 just get through the first couple rounds, I’d still have a chance.”
Performance despite adversity
Despite the illness, Scheffler posted scores of 72, 65, 68, and 68 over four rounds, finishing tied for 12th at seven under par. His performance included a final-round 2-under 68, showcasing resilience amid challenging conditions.
The illness disrupted his preparation, forcing him to prioritize rest over practice and workouts. Scheffler noted that his throat and hands remained sore throughout the week, though he felt improvement as the tournament progressed.
Stubbornness as strength and weakness
Scheffler reflected on his decision to play, calling his stubbornness “probably a strength of mine and a weakness at times.” He added that he has never been one to withdraw from a tournament, even when facing significant health challenges.
The world No. 1 golfer, who secured his position by winning the FedEx St. Jude Championship, entered the BMW Championship as the FedExCup points leader. His participation did not impact his top ranking, as seeds do not matter for the upcoming Tour Championship.
Health implications and recovery
Scheffler confirmed he was still not fully recovered after the event but expressed optimism about rest helping his recovery. The illness, which has no cure, typically resolves on its own within a week to 10 days.
His experience highlighted the physical demands of professional golf and the challenges athletes face when competing through illness.