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GOLF: Rory McIlroy cuts PGA Championship practice round short due to blister

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy ended his practice round early ahead of the PGA Championship after a painful blister on his right pinky toe. The two-time PGA Championship winner is adjusting footwear as he prepares for his opening round at Aronimink Golf Club.

FIELD LEVEL MEDIA

Reuters

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May 13, 2026

GOLF: Rory McIlroy cuts PGA Championship practice round short due to blister

May 12, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA; Rory McIlroy plays a tee shot on hole 2 during a practice round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club.

Bill Streicher/Imagn Images/Reuters

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy ended his Tuesday practice round at Aronimink Golf Club after just three holes due to a blister on his right pinky toe ahead of this week's PGA Championship in Newtown Square, Pa.


In his first event back after winning his second consecutive Masters championship in April, McIlroy was seen limping in Sunday's final round of the Truist Championship in Charlotte.


"Yeah, I've got a blister on my pinky toe on my right foot, but it's underneath my nail," McIlroy said Sunday. "I can't really get to it, so it's a little sore. But I'll be all right."


He told Irish media earlier in the day that the nail on his pinky toe has been removed and that he's trying out a few pairs of shoes to find the ones that most limit his discomfort.


McIlroy is a two-time PGA Championship winner (2012, 2014). He's never played Aronimink competitively, saying Tuesday that his only prior experience on the course was a practice round a few weeks prior to the major.


It remains to be seen if he again attempts a practice round on Wednesday or opts for a rest day ahead of his scheduled 8:40 a.m. tee time on Thursday.


-Field Level Media/Reuters

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