Scottie Scheffler slammed for competing in BMW Championship with contagious disease

Golfer Scottie Scheffler has been slammed for competing in the BMW Championship while suffering from a contagious disease.

Scheffler finished 7 under to finish tied in 12th place at the event in St Louis. Having recently won the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the four-time major champion's struggles were noticeable.

After the event, Scheffler revealed that he has been suffering from hand, foot and mouth disease and it had a huge impact on his performance.

He began suffering from symptoms the day after his FedEx St. Jude Championship triumph and he was left with blisters on his hands and throat.

It meant Scheffler had to change his practice routine. However, he decided to power through - though he acknowledged it may not have been the best decision.

He admitted: "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.

"I really just did my best to try and battle and it maybe was a poor decision playing, but I've never been one to try and quit."

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Even though it was suggested that he pull out, Scheffler said he was "proud of how I fought" and said he feels "like I'm starting to heal up".

Scheffler went on to reveal that he nearly made a costly mistake when he came close to shaking hands with Cameron Young, who was his final playing round partner.

"I actually almost caught myself shaking hands with Cam on 18," Scheffler stated.

"I would have felt really bad. I was like, Oh, my gosh, I almost forgot. So that's good news, starting to feel better. Hopefully the throat will clear up the next couple days."

However, the 30-year-old came in for huge criticism for actually playing with the illness and potentially spreading it.

On X, one user said: "This is pretty bad from Scottie. Hand, foot and mouth is super contagious. Not a good look."

Another added: "Tough scene. That stuff is super contagious."

A third fumed: "Intentionally going out among 100k people with no regard for whether he infects other players or spectators! Can’t make this stuff up anymore."

A fourth user stated: "This is not ok. On many levels.

An unhappy fifth person wrote: "It’s contagious. He should have stayed home but apparently he doesn’t give a damn about others."

According to the NHS, hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral infection that can be common amongst young children - particularly at nurseries.

There is no set treatment, but is advised to avoid hot and spicy foods, as well as acidic drinks.

In addition, washing hands well and regularly, as well as not sharing items, can reduce spread and contamination.

Those who have the disease normally suffer for around seven to 10 days.