"He's not worried about that little piggy" - Rory McIlroy injury update ahead of PGA Championship

Rory McIlroy still intends to tee up at the second men's major of the year at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania.

Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy

Masters champion Rory McIlroy is "not worried" about his toe injury and still intends to tee up at the PGA Championship, according to a report.

McIlroy was limping during the final round of last week's PGA Tour event in Charlotte, sparking fears he may not be able to bid for back-to-back major wins. 

He revealed that he just had a blister under his right pinky toe, though, and would be fine to compete at the second men's major of the year at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania. 

The 37-year-old told reporters during his pre-tournament news conference on Tuesday that he softened the nail up in the shower and ripped it off. 

He had planned to play nine holes of practice but walked off the Donald Ross designed course after only three holes. 

But Golf Channel's Todd Lewis has reported that McIlroy remains in good spirits and will simply have to get a divider and wear a bigger pair of golf shoes. 

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Lewis told Sky Sports: "Now, I did catch up with Rory after he walked off the course and he said he's probably going to have a separator moving forward between his pinky toe and the fourth toe because they're rubbing against each other. 

"He's going to bandage it and put on a new pair of shoes that he's been fitted for and he said he should be comfortable. 

"It'll get a little more healing. He is not worried about that little piggy."

McIlroy is scheduled to tee off on Thursday in a marquee group that includes major champions Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth. 

Related:

Spieth will be making his 10th attempt to join McIlroy in the history books and complete the career grand slam. 

LIV Golf recruit Rahm, who refused to dwell on his big money move to the breakaway tour, is aiming to win his first major since the 2023 Masters.

The trio are scheduled to tee off at 13:40 BST (9:40 EDT). 

Rory McIlroy is attempting to win back-to-back majors at the PGA Championship
Rory McIlroy is attempting to win back-to-back majors at the PGA Championship

McIlroy is attempting to win his second consecutive major championship following his Masters triumph in April. 

A two-time PGA Championship winner, the golfer seemed completely different in his pre-tournament news conference compared to the tetchy figure we have become accustomed to in recent years as he chased his first major win since 2014. 

He spoke of his admiration for world number one Scottie Scheffler, how he was glad the PGA Tour didn't pursue a financial agreement with LIV Golf's backers and the future of European golf. 

McIlroy also made it clear in a separate interview with BBC Sport that he believes there's a chance he could become the first player to win all four majors in a year. 

Tiger Woods has held all four, but his run began with the 2000 U.S. Open and ended at the 2001 Masters. 

"I think it's possible," McIlroy said. "But it's incredibly difficult to achieve.

"There's a reason that no one's been able to do it before in the history of the game.

"The best thing that you can do is give yourself a chance in each one and then just see where the chips fall on the Sunday.

"There's quite a lot of randomness at times to winning golf tournaments. You have to have a lot of things go your way along with playing well yourself.

"So, in 100 years time if one person has done it, I would say, yeah, I could see that happening, but it's so difficult."

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Rory McIlroy
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Scottie Scheffler
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