Updated

Updated · Fox News · Aug 26

Scottie Scheffler Opens Up on Fatherhood Balance After Playing Through Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Aug 26

Scottie Scheffler Opens Up on Fatherhood Balance After Playing Through Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Q: How did the world top golfer secretly battle a highly contagious, blister-causing illness while competing against elite rivals?

Scottie Scheffler battled through hand, foot and mouth disease at the BMW Championship by relying on rest, adrenaline and sheer stubbornness, even as painful blisters made it hard to hold a club. Scheffler said he became ill on Monday night, shortly after his FedEx St. Jude win, and developed blisters on his hands, feet and in his throat. The sores were especially problematic on his hands, making his grip painful early in the week, while throat soreness lingered throughout the tournament. Rather than withdraw, he chose to keep playing because he felt his form was too good to abandon. He later admitted pulling out might have been the smarter decision, but said he has never been inclined to quit a tournament once committed. To cope, he scaled back his normal routine, prioritizing recovery over full practice, workouts and even his usual warm-up. On the course, Scheffler said adrenaline helped him function better than he expected. After an opening 72, he recovered with three straight rounds in the 60s to finish tied for 12th at 7-under, an effort that drew praise from fellow players. Gary Woodland said many players kept their distance in the trainer’s room because the illness is contagious, underscoring how unusual Scheffler’s week was. Scheffler later said he was about 95% recovered ahead of the Tour Championship, with his hands feeling normal again and only some throat soreness remaining.

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 26

Scheffler said ahead of the Tour Championship that balancing life as the world No. 1 with raising 2 children under 3 is "always a balancing act."
The comments followed his disclosure that he played last week's BMW Championship while battling hand, foot and mouth disease, including painful blisters.
Scheffler said golf and home feel like "almost a double life"—hours under cameras on tour, then a quiet routine with family and friends away from the course.
He said the strain of traveling with young children leaves him "tired literally all the time," but he still wants to enjoy this stretch before his kids are too old to join him regularly.