Rory McIlroy Abandons PGA Championship Practice After Blister Injury At Aronimink Golf Club

Rory McIlroy abandoned his PGA Championship practice round after completing just three holes at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, with the Masters champion dealing with a painful blister beneath the nail of his right little toe.

“Rory McIlroy abandoned a practice round after only three holes, abruptly halting his preparations for the US PGA Championship which starts on Thursday at Aronimink near Philadelphia”

BBC

McIlroy had removed the nail himself after soaking it in the shower, telling reporters: "Softened it up in the shower and just ripped it off."

BBC

The Northern Irishman was seen limping and with his shoe and sock removed as he inspected the injury on the third fairway, then left the course on a golf cart after stopping on the fourth tee.

McIlroy had planned to play nine holes of practice on Tuesday afternoon, but his plans were cut short as he left Aronimink before completing the session.

Ahead of Thursday’s US PGA Championship, McIlroy was set to tee off at 8:40am local (1.40pm UK time) alongside Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth.

As McIlroy halted preparations, Golf Channel’s Kira D Dixon said: "Members of his team were walking in with boxes of shoes."

Sky Sports reported that McIlroy had only completed three holes of Tuesday’s practice at Aronimink and was dealing with a blister under the nail of the small toe on his right foot.

GB News

BBC Sport described McIlroy stopping his practice on the fourth tee and leaving the course on a golf cart, after he had removed the nail earlier this week.

McIlroy had earlier admitted he would need to go up half a size on his golf shoes, and he was seen limping on the third hole and removing his shoe at one point.

Despite the setback, McIlroy was reported to be in apparently good spirits as he prepared for the PGA Championship that starts on Thursday at Aronimink near Philadelphia.

McIlroy’s toe issue threatened to become a significant roadblock in his quest for the US PGA Championship, with talkSPORT noting the problem could prove "a significant roadblock" in his bid.

“Rory McIlroy abandons PGA Championship practice round due to toe injury Rory McIlroy’s tilt at the year’s second major got off to an unsteady start on Tuesday afternoon after he abandoned his practice round at the PGA Championship feeling discomfort with a toe injury which he thought he’d cured with a DIY fix”

Irish Examiner

The BBC said the US PGA Championship begins on Thursday at Aronimink near Philadelphia, with McIlroy bidding for back to back major wins after defending his Masters title last month.

talkSPORT reported that McIlroy had returned to action at the Truist Championship as his first event since retaining the Masters, where he finished joint 19th and said: "It's been a really good two and a half weeks of practice and getting back into playing competitively."

With Wednesday’s practice session still available before competition begins, McIlroy retained some opportunity to find a workable solution, according to GB News.

McIlroy is scheduled to begin his opening round at 1.40pm UK time on Thursday, grouped with Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth, as his preparations for the second men’s major of the year are reshaped by the toe injury.