Rory McIlroy's pursuit of a third PGA Championship title hit a literal stumbling block this Tuesday at Aronimink Golf Club. After a top-20 finish at Quail Hollow, he managed only three holes of his opening practice round before walking out.

The main concern surfaced when McIlroy was spotted limping and removing his shoe multiple times on the course. After struggling through the third fairway and fourth tee, he boarded a cart to return to the clubhouse, casting a shadow over his status for Thursday.

"I've got a blister on my pinky toe on my right foot. But it's underneath my nail," McIlroy revealed while discussing his limp. This blunt admission followed his final round at the Truist Championship on Sunday, where the issue first flared up during competitive play.

Desperate for relief, McIlroy took matters into his own hands by soaking the foot and actually ripping the entire toenail off earlier this week. He was even seen trying on another person's shoe on the fourth tee to find a more comfortable fit.

The situation escalated as McIlroy's team arrived at the clubhouse with several new boxes of golf shoes. They are searching for a specific pair that might allow him to swing without the sharp pain caused by the pressure on his right pinky toe.

The discomfort forced a change in plans, as McIlroy did not join the PGA Championship Dinner later on after exiting his practice round midway. The significance of the issue became obvious with his absence at the official function, as his priority was resting his injured right foot.

Echoes of Jon Rahm’s Major Withdrawal 

The sudden onset of McIlroy's injury is similar to the case of Jon Rahm pulling out of the 2024 U.S. Open due to an infection caused by a cut between his toes. At first, Rahm tried to play through the pain, but the infection forced him to miss the third major of the year.

Much like Rahm's ordeal at Pinehurst, McIlroy is now in a race against time to manage inflammation that impacts his weight transfer. Fans wonder if McIlroy's aggressive treatment, ripping the nail off, will lead to a recovery or follow the same path as Rahm's unfortunate exit.

The Aronimink Golf Club features a 7,394-yard course that requires exceptional stability, especially considering McIlroy’s preference for the driver technique. If the pain persists, then the second-ranked golfer might be out of action as he tries to become one of the few elite golfers who have won seven majors.

However, do you think that the Northern Ireland native will eventually overcome the odds against him to bag his third PGA Championship?

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Written by

Abhishek Sharma

Edited by

Souvik Roy