Could Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick have a golfing feud? The truth behind their hilarious BMW Championship mix-up
Credits: IMAGO
Credits: IMAGO
At the BMW Championship, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and his playing partner Matt Fitzpatrick did not have a single conversation. The Englishman thought he had wronged Scheffler in some way. However, Scheffler has now cleared the air.
Scheffler revealed he had contracted hand, foot, and mouth disease ahead of the BMW Championship. Fitzpatrick wanted to converse, but he had no idea that the American was hurting in his throat.
“Fitzy was laughing. I played with him first tee last week, and he said, ‘Man, I thought I p***** you off or something. You didn't talk to me for two days,’” Scheffler said at East Lake. “I was like, ‘No, man, I just couldn't speak.’”
MEMPHIS, TN - AUGUST 13: Scottie Scheffler of the United States leans as he watches his tee shot on No. 7 during the first round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship, August 13, 2026, at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire GOLF: AUG 13 PGA, Golf Herren FedEx St. Jude Championship EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260813025
MEMPHIS, TN - AUGUST 13: Scottie Scheffler of the United States leans as he watches his tee shot on No. 7 during the first round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship, August 13, 2026, at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire GOLF: AUG 13 PGA, Golf Herren FedEx St. Jude Championship EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260813025
Scheffler had paired up with Fitzpatrick for the opening two rounds at Bellerive. They again played together on Thursday at the Tour Championship and settled their misunderstanding.
Scheffler had pushed through the health issues at the BMW Championship, riding momentum from his FedEx St. Jude win.
However, the American could only conjure a tied-for-12th finish at best. Currently at East Lake, the 30-year-old is in much better shape.
“Yeah, hands are all good, totally back to normal,” Scheffler added, as reported by ESPN's Mark Schlabach. “I have a couple ulcers still in my throat, but I feel way better than last week. I'm talking and eating and drinking normally.”
Scheffler felt pain while gripping a club at Bellerive, and as it turned out, struggled to chat with his playing partner as well.
Regardless, the pair have now cleared the misunderstanding at the Tour Championship. Scheffler got off to a strong start as well.
Scottie Scheffler bounces back at East Lake
It looks like Scottie Scheffler has left the hand, foot and mouth disease behind. The World No.1 certainly found his groove on Thursday.
“I felt like I hit a lot of fairways, gave myself a lot of opportunities,” Scheffler said in the same ESPN's Mark Schlabach report. “Outside of the first hole, I wasn't really battling for par very much. That's always good around this place.”
Scheffler carded a five-under 65 in the opening round. He’s three strokes off the leader, Min Woo Lee, who registered an impressive eight-under 62.
The 30-year-old went bogey-free and landed five birdies. The best came at the end, with him scoring back-to-back birdies at the 17th and 18th holes.
Looking for his second FedEx Cup, Scheffler remains in strong contention at East Lake.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar