Scottie Scheffler faced unusual challenges at the BMW Championship, ending with a notable number of bogeys. Despite this, the week turned out to be extraordinary due to his health condition. “I’m sick,” Scheffler remarked, declining an interview initially. He later revealed he was grappling with hand, foot and mouth disease, known for causing blisters.

“At the start of the week, it was painful to grip the club,” Scheffler explained. Despite the discomfort, he chose not to withdraw because he felt confident in his game performance. Coming from an eight-shot win at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, he seemed poised for the season’s final three weeks. However, hindsight suggests withdrawal might have been wise, given the low stakes. Scheffler had secured his position as the FedEx Cup’s number one, granting him a $23 million bonus. In the Tour Championship, the objective is straightforward—win at East Lake to claim the FedEx Cup.

Scheffler acknowledged his tendency to be stubborn, which sometimes serves as both a strength and a weakness. “I’ve never withdrawn from a tournament, especially midway. It’s frustrating,” Scheffler admitted. On the bright side, he took pride in his resilience despite health setbacks, noting some recovery signs, although his throat remained sore.

Throughout the tournament, Scheffler almost regained his energetic spirit when he nearly shook hands with Cameron Young, indicating a return to form. Three consecutive birdies had once lifted him into the top 10, but a bogey from the fairway bunker marked his close. He managed to hit 65% of greens during the event.

“I felt better as the week progressed,” Scheffler said. Monday night began his bout with illness, presenting a frustrating barrier to his successful play. Exposure to heat and adrenaline caused his body to crash, and the week was an ongoing struggle. Though not fully recovered, Scheffler planned to rest, hoping it would aid his recovery.