Scottie Scheffler reveals he played through ‘pretty painful’ illness during the BMW Championship

For Scottie Scheffler, finishing in 12th place at a tournament is not spectacular, as golf fans are accustomed to seeing his name at the top of the leaderboard.

However, when you play through hand-foot-and-mouth disease, finishing 12th at the BMW Championship is remarkably impressive. After shooting a 2-under 68 on Sunday, Scheffler revealed what he dealt with throughout the week.

“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.”

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Scottie Scheffler walks off the 18th green during the second round of the BMW Championship golf tournament, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Generally, hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a viral illness that affects children. There is no cure for it, which means the common symptoms of painful blisters on the hands, feet and mouth, a fever and sore throat are things Scheffler had to play through without relief.

The world’s top-ranked golfer said he got sick on Monday night, a day after winning the FedEx St. Jude Championship by eight strokes.

“I felt better as the week went on,” Scheffler said. “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.”

“I’m still not 100% now, but I’ll get some rest now and hopefully that will help.”

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Scottie Scheffler hits from a bunker on the seventh hole during the first round of the BMW Championship golf tournament Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Because he won the FedEx St. Jude Championship, Scheffler was already assured of remaining as the No. 1 golfer through the BMW Championship. With seeds not mattering next week at the Tour Championship, the 30-year-old said it would have been prudent for him to pull out of the BMW Championship.

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

“But I’m proud of how I fought,” he said. “Feel like I’m starting to heal up. My throat is still bugging me pretty good. But my hands feel normal today.”

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Scottie Scheffler reacts after missing a putt on the first hole during the third round of the BMW Championship golf tournament Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Scheffler was feeling well enough that he almost made the costly mistake of shaking hands with Cam Young after the round.

The four-time major champion will hope to feel better for the Tour Championship at East Lake, which begins on Thursday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.