Rory McIlroy faced an unexpected setback before the start of the US PGA Championship after a painful toe problem forced him to stop a practice round early at Aronimink Golf Club.
The world number two had planned to complete a longer practice session on Tuesday, but discomfort in his right foot became too much after only a few holes. Reports from the course showed McIlroy repeatedly removing his shoe and checking his foot before eventually deciding to head back to the clubhouse.
The issue comes from a blister underneath the toenail on his right pinky toe, something that first bothered him during last week’s Truist Championship. McIlroy admitted the pain had been affecting the way he walked and even caused him to limp during the tournament.
In an effort to solve the problem before the year’s second major tournament, the Northern Irish golfer reportedly removed the toenail himself earlier this week. Despite that, the discomfort continued during practice at Aronimink. Members of his team were later seen bringing different golf shoes for him to try as he searched for a more comfortable fit.
Although the injury is not considered serious, it is far from ideal timing for McIlroy. The 37-year-old is returning to major action after another memorable Masters victory earlier this season, and many fans see him as one of the favorites for the PGA Championship title.
McIlroy has enjoyed plenty of success in this tournament before, winning the PGA Championship twice in his career. However, Aronimink Golf Club is still a relatively unfamiliar course for him. He recently made a short scouting visit to study the layout, but his limited preparation this week could still be a concern heading into the opening round.
Despite the setback, McIlroy appeared calm when speaking about the issue earlier in the week and insisted he expects to be ready when the tournament begins. Tournament officials and fans will now wait to see whether he returns for another practice session before Thursday’s opening tee time.
The injury has added a small layer of uncertainty around one of golf’s biggest stars, but McIlroy’s experience and strong recent form still make him a major contender for the title.
The PGA Championship is set to feature many of the sport’s biggest names, with McIlroy grouped alongside several top players for the opening rounds as attention builds around another exciting major week.
