Rex Hoggard says how concerned he is about Rory McIlroy’s toe injury ahead of the PGA Championship

“He loves a soft golf course where he can stand on the tee and just wail away. If you find it he always has the advantage in situations like that.

“He has plenty in the tank to get to the 305 golden mark that we talk about. I slipped him behind Scottie Scheffler though and the only reason is the toe.

“I know that sounds ridiculous, but it is a tough walk and anything that is going to take away your focus and keep you from preparing the way you want to prepare is always going to be a drawback for a player at that level.”

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Brad Faxon plays down Rory McIlroy concerns at the PGA Championship

The relatively minor but significant issue is clearly having a big impact on McIlroy, and understandably so given where it is.

But any major concerns about the six-time major champion have now been quashed by his putting coach Brad Faxon.

When asked if people should be worried about the blister on Sirius XM, Faxon responded: “I doubt it. He’s overcome worse things than a bad toe.

“But you know, I think golfers get ridiculed for sometimes not being tough enough. I don’t think anybody’s tougher than Rory McIlroy, and having a toe [injury] can be annoying.

“And I think he did a smart thing. Look, he’s played the golf course, he knows enough of what he’s going to off the tees and into the greens.

“But when you have sensations like that in your digits, whether it’s hands or fingers, nobody likes that on their hands, they’re tied to the grip and the club. And then certainly your feet are tied to the ground.

“And he gets enormous power from his feet in his golf swing, and it even can bother you when you’re standing over a putt, you know when your feet are moving, wiggling inside your feet.

“I think he’s going to be fine by tomorrow morning when he tees off, but I think he’s taking a cautious road here.”

Chasing his seventh major championship win, the 37-year-old has been paired with Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm for rounds one and two of the PGA Championship.

Read more:

What Rory McIlroy told Todd Lewis about his toe injury after cutting his practice round short

Brandel Chamblee highlights serious issue that Rory McIlroy has had all season ahead of the PGA

Cameron Young gives his views on Aronimink after Rory McIlroy claims there’s little strategy off the tee