World number one Scottie Scheffler competed in the BMW Championship while suffering from hand-foot-and-mouth disease, a viral illness that typically affects children and causes painful blisters. Scheffler disclosed the extent of his discomfort after finishing in 12th place, stating it was difficult to grip his club at the start of the tournament.
Scheffler, who secured his place in the Tour Championship by winning the FedEx St. Jude Championship the previous week, fell ill on Monday night. Despite the pain, he elected to continue competing, aiming to finish the event quickly.
"So to start the week it was pretty painful to grip the club," Scheffler said. "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."
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease has no cure, meaning Scheffler had to endure symptoms such as blisters on his hands and feet, a fever, and a sore throat. He noted that he felt better as the week progressed.
"I felt better as the week went on," Scheffler stated. "I got sick Monday night. That was probably the most frustrating part. Playing really good golf, and you come out of the heat and get a little adrenaline, sometimes your body kind of crashes. Then it hit me pretty good all week."
Scheffler acknowledged that withdrawing from the tournament might have been the more prudent decision, but his competitive nature prevented him from doing so. "I think that’s part of my stubbornness, probably. That’s probably a strength of mine and a weakness at times," he said. "I’ve never been one to ever pull out of a tournament, especially in the middle of it. That’s really frustrating for me."
Despite the lingering effects, particularly a sore throat, Scheffler felt his hands had recovered by Sunday. He will now focus on resting before the Tour Championship, which begins Thursday.