Scottie Scheffler Powers Through Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease at the BMW Championship

World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler competed in the 2026 BMW Championship in St. Louis while battling hand, foot and mouth disease. The viral illness produced painful blisters on his hands, feet and throat, making it difficult to grip clubs. Despite the discomfort, Scheffler finished tied for 12th at 7 under, ten shots behind winner Wyndham Clark, and recorded 13 bogeys over the week. His performance secured his position atop the FedEx Cup standings and a $23 million bonus.

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Earlier in the FedEx Cup playoffs, Scheffler captured the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis by eight strokes, establishing momentum heading into the BMW event. He travels with his wife Meredith and their two young sons—2-year-old Bennett and Remy, born on March 27. Hand, foot and mouth disease commonly affects children under five and can be transmitted to adults, especially parents who are in close contact with their kids.

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• Final score: 7 under, tied for 12th place (?10 shots behind Wyndham Clark).

New York Post

• Greens hit: 65 % of opportunities (source: ESPN).

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• Bogeys: 13 for the tournament week (source: ESPN).

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• FedEx Cup bonus secured: $23 million (source: ESPN).

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• Upcoming Tour Championship purse: $40 million, with $10 million for the winner (source: NYPost).

New York Post

Scheffler told reporters he felt “about 95 %” recovered, noting only a few lingering throat sores. He explained that early in the week the blisters made club-grip “pretty painful,” but he chose to stay in the field because he was playing well and did not want to forfeit a chance at FedEx Cup points. He described his situation as a “balancing act” between professional obligations and caring for two young children, emphasizing the fatigue that comes with constant travel and parenting.

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Gary Woodland, a fellow Texan and close friend, confirmed that he and Scheffler share swing coach Randy Smith, whose emphasis on a consistent grip helped Scheffler manage the illness-related hand issues. Woodland also recounted avoiding Scheffler in the trainer’s room to limit exposure to the contagious virus.

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• “Good. I'd say I'm at like 95%,” — Scottie Scheffler — Scottie Scheffler

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• “I think it's always a balancing act,” — Scottie Scheffler — Scottie Scheffler

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• “My kids have had it twice, and it is awful," Woodland said.” — Gary Woodland — Gary Woodland

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• “That’s the stubbornness that Scottie has, to fight through it last week and play,” — Gary Woodland — Gary Woodland

CNN

• “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’d still have a chance. But I think that’s part of my stubbornness, probably,” — Scottie Scheffler — Scottie Scheffler

New York Post

Scheffler will compete in the season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Entering the event as the favorite, he aims to convert his recovered health and FedEx Cup lead into a potential tournament victory and the accompanying $10 million winner’s prize.

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