Rory McIlroy in last-minute change on eve of PGA Championship after friend’s frank advice

Rory McIlroy has taken fresh measures in a bid to deal with a nasty blister which has hindered his PGA Championship preparations.

The two-time winner is set to begin his first round at 1:40pm BST on Thursday.

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McIlroy will tee off alongside Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm at Aronimink.

However, his week has been disrupted by a blister on his toe which has aggravated the world No.2.

Having revealed the injury after his final round at the Truist Championship, McIlroy called short his practice round on Tuesday.

It came after he had played just three holes ahead of the PGA Championship.

McIlroy returned to the course on Wednesday for his next practice round in a different pair of shoes.

According to Skratch, the Northern Irishman described his new shoes as ‘softer’ than the pair he had been wearing previously.

Meanwhile, he was also said to have told his caddie Harry Diamond on the range that his toe felt ok but still hurt when walking.

Advice for McIlroy

The move comes after McIlroy was handed some honest advice from a fellow major champion.

Former PGA Championship winner Padraig Harrington had told McIlroy he had two choices to make ahead of the tournament.

The Irishman said: “If he’s pulled off a nail, it’s very bad and it’s very sore.

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“So he’s got two options: he could sit at home or he could come out and play.

“Why would you stay at home when you could take a chance and come out and play?”

Harrington is a three-time major winner, with those victories including the 2008 PGA Championship.

The 54-year-old will play his opening two rounds of the weekend alongside Thomas Detry and Maverick McNealy.

McIlroy at the PGA Championship

McIlroy is aiming to end a 12-year wait for his third PGA Championship after previous wins in 2012 and 2014.

Having won his second successive Masters last month, a win this week would also maintain his hopes of completing a calendar Grand Slam.

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The 37-year-old has played at Aronimink in the past, with the venue hosting the 2018 BMW Championship.

McIlroy finished fifth, two shots behind winner Keegan Bradley, who beat Justin Rose in a play-off.