Rory McIlroy is heading into the PGA Championship at Aronimink this week with high hopes, aiming to secure his second consecutive major victory and the seventh of his illustrious career. After a stunning win at The Masters last month, the 37-year-old Northern Irishman has already cemented his place among golf's legends. But his burning desire to further solidify that legacy is as strong as ever.

However, McIlroy's preparation for this week's tournament has hit an unexpected snag. During the Truist Championship last week, he was spotted limping, and later confirmed it was due to a blister on his toe. The issue, it seems, hasn't fully resolved.

As one of the leading favorites to conquer Aronimink, McIlroy has the power and precision to dominate the course. If he brings his 'A' game, it would be a surprise if he doesn't leave Pennsylvania as a seven-time major champion. But not everything has gone smoothly on the practice grounds.

Golf content creator Brendan Porath, observing McIlroy's practice round on Tuesday, noticed a concerning development. "Rory is going in after three holes," Porath shared on social media. "He limped a bit to the 3rd tee, was sitting in the middle of the 3rd fairway taking his shoe off, and looks to be calling it a day on the 4th tee box."

McIlroy had previously addressed the blister issue after his final round at the Truist Championship. "I've got a blister on my pinky toe on my right foot," he explained. "But it's underneath my nail, so I can't really get to it. It's a little sore, but I'll be all right. I started to feel it Friday afternoon."

When asked if the blister affected his performance, McIlroy was quick to dismiss the idea. "No, not at all. I wish that was an excuse, but absolutely not," he said with a laugh. Still, as he cuts his practice short, fans will be watching closely to see if this minor issue becomes a bigger story at Aronimink.