Matt Fitzpatrick thought Scottie Scheffler was angry with him — the truth was hilarious

Scottie Scheffler has revealed he left Matt Fitzpatrick wondering if he had somehow “p****d him off” after the World No.1 was struck down by a painful illness at last week’s BMW Championship at Bellerive. 

Scheffler, who battled hand, foot and mouth disease ahead of the second FedEx Cup playoff event in St Louis, admitted he was unable to speak properly when Fitzpatrick tried to chat to him — leaving the Englishman convinced he had somehow fallen out with his playing partner.

Thankfully for Scheffler, the 30-year-old is now feeling considerably better and made an excellent start to the Tour Championship.

The four-time major champion carded a 5-under 65 to sit tied fifth after the first round, just three shots behind leader Min Woo Lee, who produced a spectacular 8-under 62.

Scheffler's improved health was certainly noticeable at East Lake on Thursday. 

“Yeah, hands are all good, totally back to normal,” Scheffler told reporters after R1. 

“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.”

That was not the case at Bellerive. 

Scheffler revealed last weekend that he had contracted the mild, contagious illness ahead of the tournament and had even considered withdrawing because gripping a golf club had become painful.

The condition can cause painful blister outbreaks, but Scheffler admitted he was “too stubborn” to pull out. 

He subsequently finished 12th, which saw him remain out in front in the standings ahead of the season-ending FedEx Cup finale.

But with the points wiping ahead of the Tour Championship, Scheffler knows he needs to be on his A-game to get the job done on Sunday. 

Scheffler reveals hilarious Fitzpatrick mix-up after illness 

Scheffler's illness produced an amusing misunderstanding with Fitzpatrick.

The pair played together in Missouri, where Scheffler was struggling to communicate, before being reunited for Thursday’s opening round in Georgia. 

“Fitzy was laughing, I played with him first tee last week, and he said, ‘Man, I thought I pissed you off or something. You didn't talk to me for two days,’” Scheffler explained.

“I was like, ‘No, man, I just couldn't speak.’”

Fitzpatrick started brightly at the Tour Championship too with a solid 4-under 66. 

Scheffler can certainly speak for himself on the golf course though, and his opening 65 leaves him firmly in contention for another FedEx Cup title and the $10 million first prize.

The winner of the Tour Championship determines the winner of the season-long FedEx Cup race.

Scheffler, a FedEx Cup champion in 2024, made the perfect start to his latest bid by finding plenty of fairways and giving himself numerous birdie chances around the demanding East Lake layout designed by Tom Bendelow.

“I felt like I hit a lot of fairways, gave myself a lot of opportunities,” he said.

“Outside of the first hole, I wasn't really battling for par very much. That's always good around this place. 

“Every time you miss a fairway out here, you're going to be struggling for par.”

Scheffler saved his best for last too, with birdies on the final two holes to turn a good day into a great one. 

The American has already won twice on the PGA Tour this season, including an emphatic eight-shot victory at the FedEx St Jude Championship earlier this month. 

That success marked his 21st PGA Tour title.

While 2026 has not quite reached the extraordinary heights of some of Scheffler's previous seasons, he remains one of the dominant players in the sport and continues to lead key statistical categories, including strokes gained total and scoring average.

There is also a significant milestone awaiting Scheffler on Sunday.

Whatever happens he will overtake Tiger Woods on the PGA Tour's career earnings list.

Though comparisons are difficult given the enormous increase in prize money available to players in the modern game.

Woods owns a joint-record 82 PGA Tour titles to his name alongside late great Sam Snead. 

Rory McIlroy could also move beyond Woods this week but he will need to finish solo third or better.

The Northern Irishman, already a record three-time FedEx Cup champion, opened with a 2-under 68 and sits tied 20th.

England's Tommy Fleetwood also made a strong start as he attempts to become the first player to successfully defend the FedEx Cup. 

Fleetwood matched Fitzpatrick's 4-under 66 to position himself just inside the top 10.

J.J. Spaun withdrew after five holes due to a shoulder injury, and so the field has been whittled down to 29 players.