Scottie Scheffler provides last-minute health update ahead of $40m PGA Tour season finale

Scottie Scheffler says he is fit and ready to challenge for a second FedEx Cup title after overcoming a bout of hand, foot and mouth disease. 

The world number one told reporters last Sunday that he contracted the mild, contagious illness ahead of the BMW Championship and mulled withdrawing from the second leg of the PGA Tour's playoffs in St. Louis as it was painful to grip a club. 

The condition causes painful blister outbreaks, but the 30-year-old, who said he was "too stubborn" to withdraw, still managed a 12th-place finish and is now one of 30 golfers competing for the $10m top prize at the Tour Championship.

"I'm good," the American told reporters when asked for an update on his health. "I'd say I'm at 95 per cent.

"The only thing maybe is still just a couple of sores in my throat but other than that I feel really good."

Scheffler is the overwhelming favourite to win the season finale and be crowned the FedEx Cup champion for the second time in his career having triumphed in 2024. 

England's Tommy Fleetwood is the defending champion this week.

Scheffler won the opening event of the postseason, the FedEx St. Jude Championship, two weeks ago and is looking to win his third PGA Tour event of the season. 

Mixed feelings

On Tuesday, the PGA Tour announced that the Tour Championship will look completely different in two years' time. 

The season finale will be replaced with a two-week match play event. 

A round-robin stage will take place in the first week, followed by knockout rounds. 

The field for the Tour Championship will be determined by a Championship Series Finale. 

Scheffler indicated that he is in two minds about the change. 

"I think it's something people have been craving, especially the fans," he added. 

"To change the format we have now with more matches on the course could be interesting and fun.

"It’s a little bit hard for me to wrap my head around the group play – when I show up at a tournament I love to be able to compete and give myself a chance to win.

"To have a full week where there’s not a winner is a bit unusual for me but I think it's fun, it's an interesting new way to finish the year."

Scheffler was critical of the previous format which saw the FedEx Cup leader begin the Tour Championship with a 10-shot advantage. 

"I wouldn't consider that a Tiger record being broken"

Scheffler and Rory McIlroy both have a chance to overtake Tiger Woods in all-time PGA Tour earnings this week. 

Woods, 50, has been top of the all-time money list since September 2000 on $120,999,166.

Scheffler has racked up $119,964,411 whilst Rory McIlroy has amassed an eye-watering $116,488,372 in earnings. 

Asked about the prospect of leapfrogging the 15-time major champion Scheffler said: "I mean, you're kind of comparing apples and oranges, but I think a lot of success we've had out here, especially when you look at it from a financial perspective, Tiger has a lot to do with that. 

"Like I said, it's apples and oranges. 

"The reason our purses are so large today is because of the influence and impact that Tiger had on the game.

"I wouldn't really consider that a Tiger record being broken. I think it just shows one of the many effects he had on the game of golf in a positive way. 

"Like the Tour is only getting more competitive as it goes forward, and I think that's part of kind of how he played the game."