Rory McIlroy explains why he’s limping ahead of PGA Championship

Rory McIlroy has eased injury concerns following the Truist Championship.

The world No.2 was seen limping on the course just days before the start of the year’s second major.

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McIlroy will be aiming to end his 12-year wait for a third PGA Championship victory at Aronimink this week.

The event gets underway in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania on Thursday.

Ahead of the event, McIlroy finished tied-19th at the Truist Championship thanks to a four-under par final round on Sunday.

It saw the Northern Irishman move up 18 places on the leaderboard, although he still finished 10 shots behind winner Kristoffer Reitan.

McIlroy’s hopes of victory slipped away on Saturday as he carded a four-over par 75 third round.

However, he has dismissed the suggestion that a blister on his toe affected his score.

The 37-year-old did admit that the injury was the cause for his limping at the weekend, though.

His issue had arisen during Friday’s second round before becoming increasingly sore.

Speaking to reporters after his final round, McIlroy explained: “I’ve got a blister on my pinky toe on my right foot, but it’s underneath my nail.

“So I can’t really get to it or so it’s a little sore, but I’ll be all right.”

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As for whether it affected his play, he jokingly replied: “I wish that was an excuse, but absolutely not (laughing).”

The injury will not impact McIlroy’s preparations for the PGA Championship, though, as he added: “It’s fine. I’ll be ok.”

McIlroy eyes PGA Championship

This year’s PGA Championship will be the 108th staging of the tournament.

It will also be the second time the event has been hosted at Aronimink following the 1962 edition.

Meanwhile, McIlroy previously played at the course eight years ago after it hosted the 2018 BMW Championship.

On that occasion, he finished fifth as Keegan Bradley beat Justin Rose in a play-off to win the event.

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McIlroy is a two-time winner of the PGA Championship after victories in 2012 and 2014.

His successful Masters defence last month means a third triumph this week would keep him on course for a calendar Grand Slam.