World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler completed the BMW Championship on Sunday with a 2‑under 68, but the round came amid a personal health battle. Scheffler disclosed that he has been dealing with hand‑foot‑and‑mouth disease, a viral illness that causes painful blisters on the hands, feet and mouth.
“I’m sick,” Scheffler told reporters when asked to comment on his condition. He explained that the disease made it painful to grip his clubs at the start of the week. “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,” he said.
Scheffler entered the tournament fresh off an eight‑shot victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, positioning himself for a strong finish to the three‑week PGA Tour season. The BMW Championship win secured his place as the FedEx Cup leader, guaranteeing a $23 million bonus regardless of the final outcome at the Tour Championship.
Reflecting on his decision to stay in the field, Scheffler admitted that his stubbornness can be both a strength and a weakness. “I’ve never been one to pull out of a tournament, especially in the middle of it. That’s really frustrating for me,” he said. “But I’m proud of how I fought. I feel like I’m starting to heal up. My throat is still bugging me pretty good, but my hands feel normal today.”
Performance Details
During the week, Scheffler recorded three straight birdies that briefly lifted him into the top ten, but a bogey from a fairway bunker later dropped him back. He hit only 65 % of his greens, a lower percentage than his usual standard, and finished with his 13th bogey of the week.
He also noted a near‑miss moment after his round when he almost shook hands with fellow competitor Cameron Young, only realizing his hands were returning to normal just in time.
Looking Ahead
Although Scheffler is not yet at 100 % health, he plans to rest and recover before the season‑ending Tour Championship at East Lake. All 30 players who advance to that event will need only a win to capture the FedEx Cup, making the upcoming tournament a high‑stakes showdown.
“I’m still not 100 % now, but I’ll get some rest now and hopefully that will help,” Scheffler said. His determination to compete despite illness underscores the competitive drive that has defined his rise to the top of professional golf.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
