Rory McIlroy 'surprised' as golf star gives PGA Championship withdrawal update

Rory McIlroy says he was "pleasantly surprised" by how well his injured foot held up on Wednesday as the Masters champion eased fears that he could be forced to withdraw from the PGA Championship.

The 37-year-old sparked concern earlier this week after cutting short a practice round at Aronimink Golf Club following just three holes.

McIlroy had been struggling with a painful blister beneath the toenail on his right little toe, prompting him to leave the course in a golf cart on Tuesday.

The world No 2 later admitted he feared he would not be able to complete the remaining holes.

"Because I didn't think I could walk the next six," he said when asked why he abandoned his round.

"It was sore and I did feel a little soft having to walk in because of a little toe."

The injury first flared up during last week's Truist Championship at Quail Hollow, where McIlroy was seen limping during the final round.

In a bid to solve the issue, the six-time major winner removed the toenail and burst the blister ahead of this week's second major of the year.

While that eased some of the pressure, the toe remained swollen and bruised.

"Popping the blister relieved the pressure but it was swollen and bruised, so it's just sore," McIlroy explained.

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After his scare on Tuesday, the 37-year-old made several adjustments to his footwear.

He used extra padding, separated his little toe from the others and switched to a wider shoe that is half a size larger than normal.

"I figured it out and separated the little toe from the other ones and a bit of cushion around it definitely helped," he said.

"And then just going to a bigger shoe and a different style of shoe as well, a little wider and a little softer in the toe box."

McIlroy then completed nine holes of practice on Wednesday and came away encouraged by the progress.

"I was pleasantly surprised how good it felt," he said.

"Walking downhill, whenever your foot slides into the very end of your shoe is when it maybe gives me a bit of bother, but it's totally fine.

"A mountain out of a molehill."

The positive update means McIlroy is expected to take his place in Thursday's opening round as he bids to win the PGA Championship for a third time, having previously lifted the Wanamaker Trophy in 2012 and 2014.

Fresh from successfully defending his Masters title at Augusta last month, McIlroy will tee off at 8.40am local time alongside Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm.