Rory McIlroy remains on track to compete in the US PGA Championship, even after cutting his practice round short following just three holes due to a toe issue.

The recent Masters victor, chasing consecutive major triumphs, felt pain in his right foot soon after disclosing that he had pulled off the nail from his little toe earlier in the week.

The event kicks off Thursday at Aronimink, located near Philadelphia.

"I soaked it in the shower to loosen it, then simply pulled it off," the Masters champion chuckled, before slipping off his sock to display his DIY procedure to a few journalists right after his pre-tournament media session.

McIlroy intended to complete nine practice holes Tuesday afternoon, after an initial reconnaissance visit to the Donald Ross layout in Pennsylvania.

He conceded the need to size up half a shoe size for his push toward the season's second men's major. Golf Digest noted he was observed limping on the third hole and even took off his shoe at one stage.

The 37-year-old paused his session at the fourth tee and departed via golf cart. Reports indicated he stayed in high spirits.

Still, this represents a notable hurdle for the golfer who seemed calm and primed for his initial major since retaining his Masters crown last month.

In his Tuesday chat with reporters, McIlroy came across as far more affable than the irritable version who avoided the press during much of last year's PGA.

Back then, he was reeling from his career Grand Slam at Augusta National.

He was uncertain about his path forward after that apparent career peak, marked by his dramatic playoff victory over Justin Rose in the 2025 Masters.

Now the fourth player ever to defend the iconic Green Jacket successfully last month, McIlroy paused to savor the moment before gearing up for this week's career-shaping event.

"Major victories are rare," he shared with BBC Sport. "They have come a bit more frequently for me lately compared to the prior decade, so yes, I chose to relish it.

"As my career progresses, I appreciate these occasions more deeply. It was wonderful spending time at home with my wife Erica, daughter Poppy, and my parents."

His post-win festivities featured attending a State banquet during King Charles's recent trip to Washington DC - an honor that led him to bypass the PGA Tour's key event at Doral in Miami earlier this month.

However, the six-time major champion summoned his long-time coach Michael Bannon to his Florida home to sharpen his form for the final three majors: this week's PGA, next month's US Open, and July's Open at Royal Birkdale.

"The past two and a half weeks of training and competitive play have been solid," he noted.

McIlroy placed tied for 19th last week in Charlotte, his sole outing since the Masters. "Quail Hollow did not go as hoped, but it proved valuable," he reflected.

"I gained insights into my game, exactly what I required before this tournament.

"I did not position myself to win, sadly, but it helped gauge my form and pinpoint adjustments for contention here."

McIlroy struggled in the third round at Quail Hollow - a venue of four prior triumphs - yet, like at Augusta, he refined his swing on the range Saturday night before posting a strong 67 to close.

"A solid end to the week," McIlroy remarked. "I left Quail Hollow with several encouraging takeaways.

"I practiced at home Monday, and I am optimistic about my game's direction this week."

McIlroy focuses squarely on majors, and as the Masters champion, he alone can chase a historic calendar-year Grand Slam.

Tiger Woods alone has held all four modern majors simultaneously, starting with the 2000 US Open, adding The Open and PGA (then in August), and concluding at the next Masters.

Is a single-year sweep feasible? "It's doable," McIlroy told me, "but extraordinarily tough.

"No one has managed it in golf history for good reason.

"Your best approach is entering each with a shot and letting Sunday decide.

"Golf wins involve luck alongside skill; many factors must align.

"In a century, if someone pulls it off, it would not surprise me, though it is immensely challenging."

Regardless, the world number two has conquered a nearly 11-year major drought, broken by last year's Masters.

"Review my play and results since 2022 - I have been steady," McIlroy said. "That streak peaked with the recent Masters runs, which feels great.

"Majors demand grit, resolve, and clutch shots under duress - no stats measure that. You develop it through experience.

McIlroy weathered multiple major heartbreaks before the 2024 Augusta win. "Breaking through once sparks more success and builds belief," he explained.

"Recent form boosts confidence, but my Augusta victory provides deeper assurance for big events than multiple prior wins."

McIlroy faces stiff opposition this week from world number one and title defender Scottie Scheffler, who sat out Quail Hollow to focus on Aronimink.

Players' champion Cameron Young and England's Matt Fitzpatrick bring hot form, while Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood posted a promising fifth in Charlotte last week.