Rory McIlroy is once again among the top contenders at the 2026 PGA Championship, but a surprising foot issue has raised a few eyebrows this week. The Northern Irish star—known for his powerful swing and relentless drive—has been dealing with a painful blister under one of his toes, leading to some concern as the season's second major approaches.

According to Golfweek, McIlroy revealed that the blister became so bothersome that he decided to remove the toenail altogether to find relief. While that might sound like a drastic move for any golfer, it’s a common fix for athletes who need to stay on their feet. However, the pain was enough to cut his practice round short on Tuesday, which is never a good sign heading into a major championship.

Adding to the intrigue, McIlroy was notably absent from the PGA Champions dinner photo on Tuesday evening at Aronimink. The event, a beloved tradition where past major winners gather, saw a lineup of golf legends—but McIlroy’s absence was hard to miss. Social media quickly buzzed with speculation, with one post noting his toe issue as the likely reason. Whether he skipped the dinner entirely or simply wasn’t in the photo remains unclear.

For now, all eyes are on Wednesday’s practice session, where we’ll get a better sense of his mobility and comfort level. McIlroy is scheduled to tee off at 8:40 a.m. ET on Thursday alongside Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm—a blockbuster group that fans are eager to watch. If the toe holds up, he’ll be a serious threat on the course. If not, this blister could become the talk of the tournament.

Stay tuned for updates as we track Rory’s condition ahead of the first tee shot. In the meantime, make sure your own gear is tournament-ready—because whether you’re chasing a major or just a weekend round, comfort starts from the ground up.