Scottie Scheffler Played Through Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease at BMW Championship

Symptoms Began Monday Following Memphis Victory

The timing could hardly have been worse. Just one day after hoisting the trophy in Memphis, Scheffler noticed the first signs of illness on Monday night noted by Yahoo Sports. Hand, foot and mouth disease typically brings a fever, painful mouth sores, and a rash featuring small blisters on the hands, feet, and throat according to the New York Post.

For an elite golfer whose livelihood depends on a precise grip and immense clubhead speed, the blisters presented an immediate crisis. It was suggested he pull out of the tournament entirely reported Golf Digest, but Scheffler opted to tee it up anyway.

The physical toll disrupted his standard preparation noted Yahoo Sports. Forced to prioritize rest over practice, he could not work out or warm up the way he normally would before a competitive round.

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Scheffler admitted that his decision to play through the pain came down to sheer stubbornness and a fierce reluctance to quit mid-tournament reported the PGA Tour. Because he had already clinched the top spot in the FedEx Cup standings and secured his $23 million bonus pool payout from his St. Jude victory, he had little financial incentive to push through the agony highlighted Bleacherreport.

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“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 would still have a chance. I think that’s part of my stubbornness, probably. That’s probably a strength of mine and a weakness at times.”

Scottie Scheffler, via PGA Tour

That resilience helped him grind out a respectable finish despite opening with a two-over 72 noted the PGA Tour. He followed the slow start with three consecutive under-par rounds in the 60s, closing with a two-under 68 on Sunday to finish the tournament at seven under par reported Yahoo Sports. That performance placed him in a tie for 12th place according to Bleacherreport (noted as 11th by the PGA Tour).

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Recovery and Outlook Ahead of the Tour Championship

As the tournament concluded, Scheffler’s symptoms began to recede, leading to a near-awkward moment on the 18th green reported CBS Sports.

“Feel like I’m starting to heal up. My throat is still bugging me pretty good, but my hands feel normal today. I actually almost caught myself shaking hands with Cam [Young] on 18; I would have felt really bad. I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, I almost forgot.’ So that’s good news, starting to feel better.”

Scottie Scheffler, via CBS Sports

While common among children under age five, the viral infection often passes to adults from infected children noted CBS Sports, and Scheffler is the father of two young children under the age of three according to Golf Digest.

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Looking ahead to the upcoming Tour Championship in Atlanta, Scheffler will enter the field holding the No. 1 position in the FedEx Cup standings reported Yahoo Sports. Because starting strokes were eliminated after the 2024 TOUR Championship noted the PGA Tour, he will start the finale on even terms with the rest of the 30-player field at East Lake, where the winner claims a $10 million bonus according to Bleacherreport.