Scottie Scheffler – when kids make you sick

He may be the world’s No 1 golfer, but even the most gifted athletes are not immune to the everyday trials of parenthood.

Scottie Scheffler discovered that last week when an illness picked up from his young children got the better of him mid-tournament.

Kyle Feldscher reports for CNN that the four-time major champion struggled through the opening round of the BMW Championship near St Louis, later revealing that he had contracted hand, foot and mouth disease – a common but painful viral illness familiar to many parents of young children.

Scheffler said the sores left on his hands made it difficult to grip his clubs and had almost forced him to withdraw altogether.

Several days later, he described himself as about 95% recovered, with only a few sores in his throat remaining.

Asked whether the experience had been a humbling one, the Texan said it had instead left him frustrated and in considerable pain during the tournament.

Scheffler, a father of two young sons, spoke candidly about the difficulty of balancing a demanding career with life on the road as a parent, admitting that fatigue is a constant companion at this stage.

He said fellow players, including Brian Harman, had told him they envied his ability to bring his family along on tour, but acknowledged that the arrangement comes with real trade-offs. It is, however, something he tries to make the most of while his children are still young enough to travel with him.

Fellow professionals were sympathetic. World No 2 Rory McIlroy, whose own daughter has since outgrown the toddler years, said picking up illnesses from daycare or school is simply part of family life that no parent, however accomplished, can avoid.

Fellow Texan Gary Woodland, who trains alongside Scheffler in Dallas, said his own children have had the virus twice and confirmed that it is “awful”.

He credited Scheffler's decision to play through the pain to sheer stubbornness and grit, calling his 12th-place finish under the circumstances remarkable.

Scheffler also spoke about balancing his public life on the course with a much quieter home life, saying that once he is home, he largely switches off from the demands of competition to spend time with family and friends.