The Japan Times - McIlroy back on course on eve of PGA despite blister

The world number two from Northern Ireland, among the favorites this week after winning his second consecutive Masters last month, had raised concerns on Tuesday.

McIlroy limped through three holes and took off his right sock and shoe to treat the issue before halting his round and taking a cart back to the clubhouse.

After his final round on Sunday at a PGA Tour event in Quail Hollow, McIlroy said a blister under his smallest right toenail had been annoying since Friday but would not be an issue for the PGA Championship.

McIlroy told the Golf Channel he had removed the right toenail on Monday to better treat the blister.

While the issue raised concerns, McIlroy was back at Aronimink on Wednesday morning, first for a session at the practice area.

He then joined Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry on the 10th tee for a practice round, showing no sign of foot pain.

McIlroy tried on several pairs of shoes at the clubhouse on Tuesday to try and ease the discomfort.

He will face long walks across the 7,394-yard, par-70 layout over the next four days as he tries to capture his seventh career major title.

McIlroy is set for an 8:40 a.m. (1240 GMT) start in Thursday's opening round alongside Spain's Jon Rahm and American Jordan Spieth.

Americans have won the past 10 PGA Championships and taken 10 of the past 12 majors, only McIlroy's two Masters titles breaking that run.

No player has won the Masters and PGA Championship in the same year since Jack Nicklaus in 1975.

Top-ranked defending champion Scottie Scheffler and McIlroy have combined to win four of the past five majors.

Scheffler has finished in the top 10 in each of his past six majors -- the longest run since Fijian Vijay Singh's seven in a row ended in 2006.

Rahm, on pace for a third consecutive LIV Golf season crown, hopes to become the first Spaniard to win the PGA Championship and give his homeland titles in all four majors -- a Spanish Grand Slam.

"It would be wonderful to close that fourth leg of the Grand Slam," Rahm said. "Even though every major is extremely special, to tie it all together with the greats of the past of Spain would be quite unique."

Y.Ishikawa--JT