Blister worry hits McIlroy as PGA start looms at Aronimink

Second-ranked Masters champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland examines a pinky toe blister on his right foot at the fourth tee during a practice round he halted at Aronimink ahead of the PGA Championship (Emilee Chinn)

(Emilee Chinn/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP)

Concern flared Tuesday about a nagging right foot blister that forced Masters winner Rory McIlroy to halt a practice round for the PGA Championship after only three holes at Aronimink.

The world number two from Northern Ireland said Sunday after limping through the final round of a PGA Tour event at Quail Hollow that he had a blister under his right pinky toenail that began hurting Friday.

He insisted it would not be a problem this week, but on Tuesday McIlroy checked his right shoe several times before taking off his right shoe and sock on the fourth tee and was later taken in a cart back to the clubhouse, ending his first practice round of the week.

McIlroy, who had a practice round at Aronimink two weeks ago, told Golf Channel he had soaked his right foot on Monday night and removed the right pinky nail to better treat the blister.

The situation added drama ahead of Wednesday's final practice day and Thursday's opening round, with McIlroy scheduled to tee off at 8:40 a.m. (1240 GMT) alongside Spain's Jon Rahm and American Jordan Spieth.

Top-ranked defending champion Scottie Scheffler and McIlroy, coming off his sixth major win at last month's and second Masters victory in a row, are favored in this week's major showdown over the 7,394-yard, par-70 suburban Philadelphia layout.

Before his late-afternoon setback, McIlroy was talking about how to approach Aronimink, known for difficult greens and wide landing areas for long drivers.

"Strategy off the tee is pretty nonexistent. It's basically bash driver down there and then figure it out," McIlroy said.

"You can be super aggressive off the tee and then there's a little more strategy and thought going into the greens."

Scheffler, however, expected a tough test if possible rain on Wednesday and Thursday holds off.