NEWTON SQUARE, Pennsylvania – May 13, 2026: Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy’s build-up to the second men’s major of the season was disrupted on Tuesday when a troublesome toe injury forced him to cut short his practice round at the 108th PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club.
World No. 2 McIlroy, 37, played just three holes of his scheduled practice before withdrawing to the clubhouse after experiencing discomfort from a blister under the nail of his right pinky toe. The issue first surfaced during last week’s Truist Championship at Quail Hollow, where he finished tied for 19th, and he described it then as “a little sore” but expected it to improve.
In preparation for the major, McIlroy revealed that he even removed the toenail himself earlier in the week in an effort to relieve the pressure. Despite this self-treatment, the pain persisted during Tuesday’s round, with television footage and on-course observers noting several occasions where McIlroy took off his right shoe.
McIlroy, a six-time major winner seeking his third PGA Championship title (having won previously in 2012 and 2014), was taken off the course by golf cart after abandoning the practice. Although limited preparation is not ideal, team members were seen with alternate golf shoes, suggesting ongoing attempts to manage the discomfort ahead of the tournament’s Thursday start.
Asked about the blister following his earlier event, McIlroy insisted it would not derail his major campaign. “It’s fine, I’ll be OK,” he said last weekend, underlining his confidence despite the setback.
McIlroy is slated to begin his PGA Championship campaign with an 8:40 a.m. tee time on Thursday, paired with Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth, marking one of the headline groupings of the opening two rounds.
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