Rory McIlroy has moved to reassure supporters that a toe injury will not hamper his bid for glory at this week’s PGA Championship after he was seen limping during Sunday’s final round at the Truist Championship.
The Masters champion revealed he has developed a blister beneath the nail of his right foot’s smallest toe, but insisted the issue would not prevent him from competing at Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia, where the second major of the season begins on Thursday.
“So I can’t really get to it or so it’s a little sore, but I’ll be all right,” McIlroy told reporters following his round in North Carolina.
The discomfort first emerged on Friday afternoon, McIlroy explained, with the awkward positioning of the blister making it difficult to treat.
When questioned whether the injury had contributed to his disappointing third round on Saturday, where he carded a four-over-par 75 that effectively ended his chances in Charlotte, the Northern Irishman was emphatic in his response.
“No, not at all. I wish that was an excuse but absolutely not,” McIlroy stated firmly.
That poor Saturday performance proved costly, derailing what had been a promising week at the tournament.
Rory McIlroy has moved to reassure supporters that a toe injury will not hamper his bid for glory at this week’s PGA Championship after he was seen limping during Sunday’s final round at the Truist Championship
|
GETTY
However, McIlroy refused to attribute any of his struggles to the painful blister affecting his movement.
The 36-year-old revealed he had already visited Aronimink last week to familiarise himself with the venue ahead of the major championship.
“It was nice to get an early look at it,” he said. “It just means that the week of the tournament you’re not under pressure to play a lot of holes.”
Rory McIlroy wasn’t at his best during last week’s Truist Championship
|
GETTY
Five quirky facts about golf | GETTY
The four-time major winner noted that practice rounds at the PGA Championship tend to be lengthy affairs, prompting him to plan a lighter schedule of just nine holes on both Tuesday and Wednesday.
Before heading to Philadelphia, McIlroy intended to return home on Sunday evening for some much-needed rest, planning to sleep in his own bed and continue working on his game at his home practice facility.
McIlroy bounced back impressively on Sunday, posting a four-under 67 to conclude his week in Charlotte on a positive note.
The recovery came after extensive work on the practice range following his difficult third round, where he had been struggling with shots drifting left.
Rory McIlroy has won the PGA Championship twice during his career
|
GETTY
“I started to hit it left yesterday with everything,” McIlroy explained.
“I was much more aware of it and did a better job of managing it today. I spent a good bit of time on the range last night just trying to straighten it out.”
The session proved productive, with McIlroy confirming he had identified solutions to the technical issues that plagued him on Saturday.
He planned to continue practising at home before making the journey to Philadelphia later in the week.
