Rory McIlroy set for PGA Championship with custom shoe
Rory McIlroy is expected to wear a specially customised shoe at this week’s PGA Championship as he battles to overcome a painful toe problem ahead of the second major of the season, reports BritPanorama.
The 37-year-old golfer raised concerns on Tuesday when he cut his practice round short at Aronimink Golf Club after just three holes. McIlroy was seen repeatedly removing his right shoe before eventually halting his session on the fourth tee, where he took off both his shoe and sock to examine his foot with his team.
A cart was called to transport the Masters champion back to the clubhouse, heightening worry about his condition. However, there is increased confidence that the injury will not prevent McIlroy from teeing off on Thursday alongside fellow players Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth.
According to Golf Central reporter Todd Lewis, McIlroy is set to utilise a custom-fitted shoe and a separator between his toes in an effort to alleviate friction and discomfort. “He’s probably going to have a separator moving forward between his pinky toe because they’re rubbing up against each other,” Lewis noted, adding that McIlroy would manage the issue with new footwear that has been properly fitted.
Describing his injury after last week’s Truist Championship at Quail Hollow, where he appeared to be limping, McIlroy mentioned, “I’ve got a blister on my pinky toe on my right foot, but it’s underneath my nail.” He subsequently revealed that the toenail had been removed to expedite healing. He also underwent fittings for larger shoes to provide additional space and reduce irritation during play.
Following his abrupt exit on Tuesday, reports indicated that McIlroy experimented with several pairs of shoes in the clubhouse. The world No 2 approaches the PGA Championship in a confident mood, having successfully defended his Masters title in April to secure a sixth major championship. Earlier this week, he expressed a renewed sense of focus compared to the previous year, when he was still adjusting to the emotional weight of completing the career Grand Slam.
“Coming into this tournament feels a lot different than what it did last year,” he stated. “I feel like I’ve got some nice clear road ahead to try to get some more of these majors.” His earlier scouting visit to Aronimink appears to have positioned him well, allowing for a more relaxed approach as he heads into the tournament. Whether McIlroy can clinch a seventh career major this week remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the journey is set against the backdrop of both personal resilience and professional ambition, continuously weaving the fabric of sport’s unpredictable nature.
