World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler competes while battling hand, foot and mouth disease

World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler said he was dealing with hand, foot and mouth disease after his victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis. The illness, which began the night after his eight-shot win, caused blisters on his hands, feet and throat and made it difficult for him to grip a club during the BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club.

Scheffler posted a 2-over 72 in the opening round but followed with three rounds in the 60s, finishing the tournament at 7-under for the week and tied for 12th, 10 shots behind winner Wyndham Clark. He noted that he was unable to follow his usual workout, practice and warm-up routines because he was prioritizing rest.

"That was probably the most frustrating part. Like I just, you know, playing really good golf, and you come out of the heat and get a little adrenaline, sometimes your body kind of crashes," 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," he added.

Scheffler will enter next week’s Tour Championship in Atlanta as the FedExCup points leader, although the final event does not use the staggered-start format that gives him a scoring advantage.

"I was prioritizing rest so I wasn't able to work out the way I want to, and practice the way I want to, and even warm up for rounds the way I want to," he said.

He expressed optimism that the worst of the illness is behind him and that he is in a good position heading into the season-ending tournament.