Rory McIlroy gave an update on his toe injury Tuesday after cutting short a practice round ahead of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania.
The two-time Masters champion is preparing to chase a third PGA Championship title this week, but attention briefly shifted to his health after he walked off the course midway through a nine-hole practice session. McIlroy had already revealed earlier in the week that he was dealing with a blister underneath the nail on his right pinky toe.
Despite the discomfort, McIlroy said he is not concerned about the injury affecting his chances at the second major championship of the season. The Northern Irishman remains one of the favorites alongside world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler entering Thursday’s opening round.
Rory McIlroy Explains Toe Injury After PGA Championship Practice Exit
GettyRory McIlroy of Northern Ireland
Sky Sports reported that McIlroy removed his shoe and sock after his Tuesday press conference to show media members the condition of his injured toe.
According to Sky Sports, McIlroy later walked off the golf course midway through a practice round because of discomfort in the right pinky toe.
Sky Sports also reported that McIlroy explained he would need a separator between the pinky toe and fourth toe because they were rubbing against each other. He added that he planned to bandage the toe and switch to a new pair of shoes fitted specifically to relieve the issue.
“He is not worried about that little piggy should be okay for the PGA Championship,” Sky Sports reported after speaking with McIlroy.
McIlroy also addressed the injury directly earlier in the week.
“I’ve got a blister on my pinky toe on my right foot, but it’s underneath my nail,” McIlroy said, according to Reuters. “It’s a little sore. But I’ll be all right.”
The Irish Independent reported that McIlroy increased his shoe size from 9 to 10 to help manage discomfort during practice.
“I ended up ripping the toenail off last night, just because it was bothering me so much,” McIlroy told the Irish publication.
“I just got in the bath and got the toenail to soften up and then burst the blister that was underneath. It feels better today.”
During Tuesday’s practice session, McIlroy was seen limping and adjusting his shoe before eventually sitting down on the fairway to inspect the toe.
It remains unclear whether he will complete another full practice round before Thursday’s opening tee time.
Rory McIlroy Chasing Third PGA Championship Title at Aronimink
GettyRory McIlroy of Northern Ireland
McIlroy enters the week attempting to win his third PGA Championship after previous victories in 2012 and 2014.
The 37-year-old arrives at Aronimink after winning his second consecutive Masters title at Augusta National last month. His sixth major championship victory tied him with Nick Faldo for the most majors by a European player in the modern era.
Another major victory this week would move McIlroy ahead of Faldo and give him seven career majors.
The PGA Championship is being played at Aronimink Golf Club for the first time since 1962. McIlroy previously competed at the course during the 2018 BMW Championship, where he finished tied for fifth.
Earlier this week, McIlroy described Aronimink as a course where the greens present the biggest challenge.
“The greens seem to be the big defense and the big talking point of the golf course,” McIlroy said.
He also explained that the course allows players to attack aggressively off the tee before relying on precision around the greens.
“It’s a course where you can be super aggressive off the tee, and then there’s a little more strategy and a little more thought going into the greens,” he said.
McIlroy will begin his PGA Championship alongside Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth in one of the featured groups Thursday morning at Aronimink. Meanwhile, Scheffler will play with Matt Fitzpatrick and Justin Rose as the championship gets underway in Pennsylvania.
Rory McIlroy Provides Toe Injury Update After Walking Off PGA Championship Practice Round