World number one Scottie Scheffler is prioritising recovery ahead of this week’s season-ending Tour Championship as he bids to win a second FedExCup after being diagnosed with hand, foot and mouth disease.
The problem affected the four-time major winner throughout last week’s BMW Championship and although he finished tied 12th after a third successive sub-70 round the American admitted he should not have played in the tournament.
“I got sick Monday night. I got the hand, foot, mouth, so you get blisters on your hands and in your throat and on your feet,” he said.
“So to start the week it was pretty painful to grip the club. 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.
“That’s part of my stubbornness – probably a strength of mine and a weakness at times – as I’ve never been one to ever pull out of a tournament, especially in the middle of it.
“I’m proud of how I fought. I feel like I’m starting to heal up and my throat is still bugging me pretty good but my hands feel normal (now). Hopefully the throat will clear up the next couple days.”