Rory McIlroy has always been known for his powerful swing and clutch performances, but this week at the PGA Championship, he's facing an unexpected challenge: finding the right shoe to accommodate a painful blister.

The Masters champion's practice round got off to a rocky start on Tuesday when he had to call it quits after just three holes at Aronimink. The culprit? A blister under the nail of his right pinky toe that made every step a test of endurance. "I feel soft having to walk in because of a little toe," McIlroy admitted after his abbreviated session.

But champions adapt, and McIlroy found his solution in the footwear department. By adding a cushion around the troublesome pinky toe and switching to a shoe that's half a size larger and slightly wider, he successfully completed a full nine-hole practice round on Wednesday without any issues. "Pleasantly surprised," he said of the improvement. "Walking downhill when the foot slides to the front of the shoe maybe gives me a bit of bother. But it's fine. All good."

McIlroy tees off Thursday morning in a marquee group alongside Jordan Spieth—who's chasing his own career Grand Slam—and Jon Rahm, who's looking to make history for Spain by capturing the one major that has eluded his countrymen.

Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler is busy with a different kind of tradition. As the defending champion, he's hosting the annual champions' dinner, a PGA Championship staple where the winner picks the menu and presents gifts to all past champions in attendance. It's a slightly more relaxed affair than the Masters Club dinner: attendance is lighter, wives are invited, and the defending champion doesn't have to foot the bill.

Scheffler's menu for the evening? Italian meatballs and focaccia garlic bread to start, followed by family-style servings of chicken Parmesan, basil pesto gnocchi, strip steaks, giant onion rings, fried Brussels sprouts, salads, smashed roasted potatoes, and three flavors of dessert. A feast fit for champions—and one that McIlroy will be eager to join once he's sorted out his footwear woes.