As the PGA Championship looms at Aronimink, a blistering concern has emerged for Rory McIlroy—literally. The world number two and Masters champion was forced to cut short his practice round Tuesday after just three holes, raising questions about his readiness for the season's second major.

McIlroy, who limped through the final round of last week's PGA Tour event at Quail Hollow, revealed that a blister had developed under his right pinky toenail, causing discomfort since Friday. Despite initially downplaying the issue, the Northern Irish star took proactive measures Monday night—soaking his foot and removing the troublesome nail to promote healing.

Tuesday's practice round at Aronimink began with promise, but by the fourth tee, McIlroy was seen checking his right shoe repeatedly before removing it entirely. Moments later, he was carted back to the clubhouse, ending his first full practice session of the week. While he had already familiarized himself with the course two weeks ago, the abrupt exit added a layer of drama ahead of Wednesday's final preparations and Thursday's opening round.

McIlroy is scheduled to tee off at 8:40 a.m. alongside Spain's Jon Rahm and American Jordan Spieth—a blockbuster group that now carries an extra dose of intrigue. The defending champion, Scottie Scheffler, enters as the world number one and a favorite, fresh off his sixth major win at last month's Masters. McIlroy, too, is a top contender, but his foot issue could be a wildcard in a tournament that demands peak physical performance.

Before the setback, McIlroy was candid about his strategy at Aronimink, a 7,394-yard, par-70 layout known for its tricky greens and generous fairways. "Strategy off the tee is pretty nonexistent," he said. "It's basically bash driver down there and then figure it out. You can be super aggressive off the tee, and then there's a little more strategy and thought going into the greens."

Scheffler, meanwhile, expects a stern test if the course stays firm and fast—a scenario that could change if predicted rain arrives. "The greens have a lot of slope and a lot of pitch to them, so it's going to be challenging," Scheffler noted. "If they can stay firm like this, I think it's going to be a pretty awesome test. It can get really challenging if it's firm and fast."

But if the greens soften, watch out—receptive conditions could turn the course into a scoring paradise, leveling the playing field for the field. For McIlroy, the key will be managing the blister and staying focused on the bigger prize. As the golf world holds its breath, one thing is certain: the PGA Championship is already delivering drama before a single shot is struck.