Scottie Scheffler proved once again why he’s the toughest competitor on the PGA Tour. The world No. 1 played through a brutal, week-long battle with hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) at Caves Valley - finishing all four rounds despite blisters on his hands and feet that he openly described as “painful.” His T-12 finish wasn’t what he wanted, but the real story is the grit it took just to get there. Now, golf fans are holding their breath: will the defending FedEx Cup champion be ready for the season finale at East Lake?
Sunday’s atmosphere felt less like a golf tournament and more like a heavyweight title fight. Scheffler walked off the 18th green at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland, having just posted a final-round 4-under 68. The scoreline says solid. The visual evidence said survival. Blisters dotted his palms and the soles of his feet - nasty, raw reminders of the viral invader that tried to derail his week before it even began. He didn’t make excuses. He didn’t withdraw. He just kept hammering fairways, including a gutty stretch on the back nine Sunday where he birdied three of four holes to close out a respectable 9-under total.
For a guy who has built his career on relentless consistency, this wasn’t a masterpiece. It was something arguably more impressive: a testament to sheer will. The golf world has watched Scheffler win green jackets and collect trophies all season. But this week, he gave us something different - a reminder that greatness isn’t just about the low scores. Sometimes it’s about grinding out a 72-hole week when your body is screaming at you to quit.
📊 Scheffler completed all 72 holes despite a severe HFMD diagnosis - He finished T-12 at 9-under par, with a final-round 68 on August 23.
Inside the Brutal Week: Blisters, IV Fluids, and a 6-Pound Weight Drop
Scheffler confirmed to reporters after Thursday’s opening round that he had been diagnosed with HFMD earlier in the week - a highly contagious viral illness most common in children, but one that hits adults exceptionally hard. He didn’t just tough it out for a round or two; he completed all 72 holes from August 21 - 23, carding that final-round 68 to finish tied for 12th place. The physical toll was staggering. By Sunday evening, Scheffler revealed he had shed approximately 6 pounds (2.7 kg) due to severe dehydration and a complete loss of appetite.
Tournament medical staff administered IV fluids daily to keep him upright and competing. He avoided hospitalization, but the visual evidence was undeniable: blisters on his hands made gripping the club a nightmare, and every step on the uneven Caves Valley fairways was a test of will. It wasn’t a golf tournament; it was a survival test. Scheffler said after the round that he felt “terrible” from the start, admitting that simple tasks like tying his shoes or grabbing a water bottle had become painful challenges.
| Day | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday (R1) | 71 ( - 1) | Confirmed HFMD diagnosis post-round |
| Friday (R2) | 69 ( - 3) | Received IV fluids before teeing off |
| Saturday (R3) | 70 ( - 2) | Struggled with blisters; hanging in |
| Sunday (R4) | 68 ( - 4) | Closed strong; finished T-12 at 9-under |
Tour officials confirmed Scheffler was never withdrawn from the event, and no other players or caddies tested positive for HFMD. The CDC notes HFMD is highly contagious but primarily affects children; adult cases are rare but can be severe. Dr. James Thornton, an infectious disease specialist quoted by ESPN, noted that HFMD in adults typically resolves in 7 - 10 days. Scheffler’s symptoms began on August 19, meaning his recovery window lands right at the edge of next week’s Tour Championship start.
