McIlroy's toe 'totally fine' after nine-hole PGA practice
Second-ranked Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland checks on a blister on his right pinky toe on the 18th hole during a practice round on the eve of the opening round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink (DAVID CANNON) Rory McIlroy said his nagging right pinky toe injury was "totally fine" after playing a nine-hole practice round on Wednesday at Aronimink ahead of the PGA Championship. The world number two from Northern Ireland was forced to cut short a practice session after only three holes on Tuesday due to a nagging blister on his smallest right toe. On Wednesday, however, he played the back nine alongside Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry and Spain's Angel Ayora and showed no sign of foot pain that had him limping a day earlier.
On the 18th hole, McIlroy took off his right sock and shoe and treated his right foot, then signed autographs for spectators. "It feels fine," McIlroy said of the toe. "It's totally fine.
" McIlroy expects to cushion the toe to prevent rubbing against the next one and wear a slightly bigger right shoe with a wider toe area. McIlroy is among the favorites to lift the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday after winning a second consecutive Masters last month. Concern was raised when the 37-year-old winner of six major titles limped through three holes Tuesday, then removed his right sock and shoe to treat the issue before stopping at the fourth tee and taking a cart back to the clubhouse.
McIlroy tried on several pairs of shoes at the clubhouse on Tuesday to try and ease the discomfort. McIlroy had limped in last Sunday's final round on Sunday at a PGA Tour event in Quail Hollow, where McIlroy is a four-time winner. He blamed it on a blister under his right pinky toenail.
He said the blister had been a bother since Friday but would not be a concern for the PGA Championship. On Monday, McIlroy told the Golf Channel he had removed the right toenail to better treat the blister. While the issue raised concerns, McIlroy was back on the practice range on Wednesday morning and then onto the course.