Rory McIlroy has declared himself fit to compete in the PGA Championship, putting to rest the concerns surrounding his recent toe injury. The world number two was forced to abort his practice round on Tuesday after only three holes due to discomfort. The issue stems from a blister on his right pinky toe, which he attempted to treat himself by ripping off the toenail on Monday. This misguided self-surgery exacerbated the problem, leading to his early exit from the course earlier in the week.
Adjusting Footwear for Comfort
On Wednesday, McIlroy completed nine holes at Aronimink Golf Club after making adjustments to his footwear. He explained that the pain was not related to his swing but rather to walking downhill, which caused his foot to slide into the end of his shoe. To mitigate this, he has switched to a larger shoe, half a size bigger, with a softer and wider toe box. He also separated his little toe from the others using cushioning.
McIlroy stated, 'It is fine. I felt very soft having to walk in because of a little toe, but I figured it out. Yesterday was painful, but today I was pleasantly surprised by how good it felt.' He emphasized that the problem is now under control and will not affect his performance in the season's second major.
Campaign for Seventh Major Title
McIlroy's quest for a seventh major championship begins on Thursday morning. He will be grouped with Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth for the first two rounds. The Masters champion remains confident despite the setback, and his adjusted footwear should allow him to focus on the tournament without distraction.
