Rory McIlroy's toe injury halts PGA Championship practice round early

Rory McIlroy’s build-up to the PGA Championship took a sharp turn when a blister under the nail on his right pinky toe forced him to stop after just three holes at Aronimink Golf Club. What had begun as a lighthearted aside about a troublesome toenail became a real championship concern as McIlroy walked in from the fourth tee box, a sign that even a small foot problem can disrupt balance, swing mechanics and the stamina needed for 72 holes.

McIlroy said after Sunday’s final round at the Truist Championship that he had “a blister on my pinky toe on my right foot,” adding that it was “underneath my nail,” which made it difficult to treat. The blister first developed on Friday, May 9, during the second round at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, where McIlroy finished tied for 19th. He had previously suggested the issue would not create long-term problems, but the soreness clearly lingered into the PGA Championship build-up.

The timing is awkward for a player entering the 2026 PGA Championship as the reigning Masters champion and one of the tournament favorites. McIlroy won his second consecutive Masters on April 13, 2025, and arrived at Aronimink, outside Philadelphia in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, with the major stage once again set around him. The tournament runs May 11-17, and McIlroy is scheduled to tee off Thursday at 8:40 a.m. with Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm.

The practical impact of the injury went beyond pain. Golf Channel reported that McIlroy’s team arrived with several boxes of shoes after he ended the practice round, underscoring how a foot issue can quickly become an equipment problem as well. For a player trying to fine-tune his game before a major, every step matters, and the next 48 hours now carry extra weight. Whether McIlroy can get comfortable enough to walk and swing without compensating will help determine whether his championship chase begins on schedule, or with another round of uncertainty.