Rory McIlroy was forced to miss Scottie Scheffler's annual Champions Dinner on Tuesday night after an injury scare disrupted his preparations for this week's PGA Championship.
The Northern Irish star had been expected to attend the traditional gathering of former winners at Aronimink Golf Club, where defending champion Scheffler hosted a select group of past PGA champions.
However, McIlroy was absent after cutting short his practice round earlier in the day because of a painful blister on his right little toe.
The Northern Irishman completed only three holes before removing his shoe and sock on the fourth tee to inspect the injury.
After discussing the issue with his team, McIlroy was taken back to the clubhouse in a golf cart, briefly raising fears over his fitness for the second major of the year.
Despite the concern, the world No 2 remains confident he will be fit to challenge for a third PGA Championship crown.
McIlroy later revealed that he had taken drastic action to ease the problem.
"I ended up ripping the toenail off last night, just because it was bothering me so much," he told the Irish Independent.
Rory McIlroy was forced to miss Scottie Scheffler's annual Champions Dinner on Tuesday night after an injury scare disrupted his preparations for this week's PGA Championship
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"I just got in the bath and got the toenail to soften up and then burst the blister that was underneath. It feels better today."
The 37-year-old also explained that he plans to use additional bandaging, a separator between his toes and a specially fitted pair of shoes to minimise discomfort.
Golf Central reporter Todd Lewis said McIlroy "should be OK" for Thursday's opening round, adding that the six-time major champion was not overly concerned by the issue.
McIlroy's absence meant he was unable to join several of the sport's biggest names at the Champions Dinner.
Great food. An exclusive guest list. A sneak peek inside the Champion's Dinner. 🍽️🏆#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/9FBGtza31J
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 13, 2026
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Five things to know about Rory McIlroy | GETTYBrooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Keegan Bradley and Martin Kaymer were among those in attendance.
Scheffler selected a comfort-food themed menu featuring chicken parmesan and three flavours of gelato.
"He wants chicken parm," executive chef John Ferguson told CBS.
"We're going to use locally raised chicken, the highest quality chicken, and he wanted three flavours of gelato."
The PGA Championship is shaping up as another fascinating duel between the two best players in the world.
McIlroy arrives in Pennsylvania after successfully defending the Masters in April to claim his sixth major title.
Scheffler, meanwhile, is bidding to retain the Wanamaker Trophy and add a fifth major to his own collection.
Asked about the growing rivalry between the pair, Scheffler insisted his motivation comes from within.
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler will renew their rivalry at the PGA Championship
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"I would not say that it drives me," he said.
"My sources of motivation have always been internal."
McIlroy, for his part, recently praised Scheffler's relentless consistency and discipline.
"It is his relentlessness," he said.
"The comfort in which he does the same things over and over."
And although McIlroy was unable to join his fellow champions for dinner, all signs suggest he will be ready to take his seat at the top of the leaderboard when the action begins on Thursday.