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Scheffler: Hand-Foot-and-Mouth! Defied Doctors' Warning at BMW

Doctors advised against it. How Scheffler persevered despite a rare illness.

GE
Gear Check
23. August 2026 · 1 min read
Scheffler: Hand-Foot-and-Mouth! Defied Doctors' Warning at BMW

Doctors advised Scottie Scheffler against starting at the BMW Championship, but the golf titan wouldn't be stopped – he gritted his teeth through the week with a painful Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease. A diagnosis that would confine most normal people to the couch was just another challenge on the green for Scheffler, even though he admitted he might have been better off listening to his body.

Scheffler came directly to the BMW from his victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, so he was actually in top form. Nevertheless, he started with a 72 before fighting his way to a respectable tied 12th place with a 65 and two strong 68s over the weekend – absolutely incredibly strong, considering the circumstances.

Golf Digest

Scottie Scheffler said he was advised to withdraw from the BMW Championship after arriving at Bellerive Country Club with hand, foot, and mouth disease. Read more: https://t.co/eGBlP3ZLrL

Gritted It Out Like a Champion

The symptoms? Blisters on his hands, feet, and in his throat – a true nightmare for any golfer. Gripping the club was especially agonizing at the start of the tournament. "It was pretty painful to grip the club," Scheffler himself said about the first few days. Anyone who doesn't think about giving up then has nerves of steel.

Paul Hodowanic

Scottie Scheffler just told us he was dealing with hand, foot, mouth disease all week. Has blisters on his hands and throat. Said it made it very difficult to grip the club, particularly early in the week. Said if he was smarter/less stubborn, he would have withdrawn.

No Letdown Despite Illness

Fortunately, his hands improved by Sunday, even though his throat was still bothering him. Nonetheless, Scheffler was not a factor in the race for the BMW title; Wyndham Clark took control there. Scheffler's true victory was simply getting through this ordeal and delivering one superb round after another.

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