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Rory McIlroy may resort to using a toe separator at the PGA Championship in an effort to prevent a foot problem from derailing his title chances. The Northern Irishman is aiming to become the first golfer to win both the Masters and the PGA Championship in the same year since 1975, when the legendary Jack Nicklaus achieved the feat. Golf's finest stars will tee off on Thursday at Aronimink Golf Club.

However, the 37-year-old faces the challenge of having his preparations disrupted after a toe injury limited his time to practice on the course. His pre-major practice session was cut short due to a blister beneath the nail of the small toe on his right foot. While the two-time PGA Championship winner acknowledged the problem was manageable, it has nonetheless unsettled his build-up as he pursues a seventh major title.

McIlroy told reporters on Wednesday: "It's fine. I felt very soft having to walk in because of a little toe but I figured it out by separating the little toe from the other ones and having a bit of cushion around it definitely helps. I have also gone to a bigger shoe (by half a size) and a different style, which is a little softer and wider in the toe box.

"Yesterday was painful but today I was pleasantly surprised by how good it felt. It is not a shot type (that causes the pain). It is just walking downhill when your foot slides into the end of your shoe. That is when it gives me a bit of bother but it is totally fine."

Golf Channel's Todd Lewis has disclosed that McIlroy intends to strap up the affected area and use a separator to ease the discomfort. He told Sky Sports: "Now, I did catch up with Rory after he walked off the course and he said he's probably going to have a separator moving forward between his pinky toe and the fourth toe because they're rubbing against each other.

"He's going to bandage it and put on a new pair of shoes that he's been fitted for and he said he should be comfortable. It'll get a little more healing. He is not worried about that little piggy."

McIlroy enters the tournament following his five-under-par performance at the Truist Championship, which earned him a tie for 19th as Kristoffer Reitan claimed victory with 15-under. The 37-year-old has been strategic in his appearances since securing the coveted Green Jacket 12 months ago.

McIlroy has previously acknowledged that he struggled following his Augusta National triumph in 2025, but speaking after the second round at the Quail Hollow Club last Friday, he vowed that his appetite has returned.

He said: "I do, and I feel like I got that hunger back in the middle of last year, you know going into Portrush in the Open at home, I think gave me a spark.

"And then after that it was looking towards the Ryder Cup. And then winning that at home in Ireland was an amazing thing to make sure that my game was in a really good spot for the team and to get as many points on the board for Europe as I could.

"There's things that I have to look forward to, and I always have to see light at the end of the tunnel. You know, I think I've made everyone aware of what my goals are for the rest of my career, and making the majors a priority.

"That's sort of what drives me forward. Obviously, I still need to play events and stay sharp. Any event that I turn up to I want to win. But the majors are my priority, and it's making sure that I'm ready to go for them and try to add to the six that I have."

McIlroy's bid for a seventh major title begins on Thursday morning and the Ulsterman is in an all-star group with Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth for the first two rounds.