Scottie Scheffler revealed Sunday that hand-foot-and-mouth disease derailed his week at the BMW Championship.
The world No. 1 first showed signs of trouble Thursday, opening with a 2-over 72, his worst 18-hole score since the U.S. Open in June and skipping his usual post-round interviews.
The Dallas Morning News and The Associated Press reported that Scheffler’s voice was hoarse and that he said only he was sick as he hurried toward the clubhouse.
Scheffler filled in the details Sunday, saying the illness actually took hold the night after his eight-shot victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis the previous week.
“I got sick Monday night,” Scheffler said. “That was probably the most frustrating part.”
Scottie Scheffler Almost Withdrew From the BMW Championship
GettyScottie Scheffler in action during the third round of the BMW Championship 2026.
Scheffler said his body crashed after the adrenaline of the win wore off in the Memphis heat. What followed was a full case of hand-foot-and-mouth disease. It is a viral illness that produces painful sores on the hands, feet and in the mouth or throat.
“So to start the week it was pretty painful to grip the club,” he said.
The pain was bad enough that Scheffler weighed pulling out of the tournament entirely.
“If I was smarter maybe I would have pulled out,” he said, adding that withdrawing “was suggested” to him.
His competitive instincts won out instead.
“I’ve never been one to ever pull out of a tournament, especially in the middle of it,” Scheffler said. “That’s really frustrating for me.”
He prioritized rest over his normal workout, practice and warm-up routines all week.
Scottie Scheffler is Still Sick Ahead of Upcoming Tour Championship
Scheffler, paired with Cameron Young in one of the day’s final groups, struggled to generate any momentum over the closing 18 holes.
“Started a little slow,” Scheffler said of his week overall. “Didn’t do a whole lot that well I feel like overall. I felt like I was close, but … I got off to a tough start and didn’t really get too hot after that.”
By Sunday, Scheffler said his hands had returned to normal. He nearly forgot and reached to shake hands with Young on the 18th green before catching himself though his throat remained sore.
“That’s good news, starting to feel better,” he said. “Hopefully the throat will clear up the next couple days.”
Walking the course was never a problem, gripping the club was the main obstacle for the four-time major winner.
Scheffler also said that he won’t be working on any part of his game before the Tour Championship.
Scottie Scheffler Announces Brutal News After BMW Championship