Scottie Scheffler says he is not driven by any rivalry with Rory McIlroy as the top two golfers in the world gear up for this week's US PGA Championship.

Scheffler is bidding to defend his US PGA title at Aronimink Golf Club in south west Philadelphia and keep on McIlroy's tail by landing a fifth major.

The 29-year-old and McIlroy have shared five of the last nine major championships between them, underlining this rivalry as one of sport's biggest battles.

McIlroy's second Masters win in a row took his major tally to six but the world number one insists his only motivation is himself.

placeholder image — Rory McIlroy looks at his foot on the fourth tee during a practice round prior to the US PGA Championship at Aronimink. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

"I would not say that it (the rivalry) drives me. I think, when I look over the course of my life, my sources of motivation have always been internal," Scheffler said. "When I can go out by myself and practice and have something that I want to improve on, that's one of my favourite things. That's always been what's driven me.

"I also love competition. I don't like losing. But at the end of the day, I think the preparation, getting ready to come out here and play is something that I really enjoy. I'm not thinking about something that somebody else is really good at.

"I don't really look for a lot of sources of outside motivation."

McIlroy was struggling with a foot problem during his first practice round ahead of the US PGA Championship.

He revealed during last week’s Truist Championship that he had a blister on the small toe of his right foot.

McIlroy arrived at the course on Monday and addressed the media on Tuesday morning, appearing in good spirits with no mention of any issue.

The 37-year-old ended his practice round after a few holes, having been seen limping and at one point taken his shoe off to assess the problem, but had previously done extensive range and short-game practice.

Scheffler feels ready to end his run of second-placed finishes and land another major.

His final-round charge at the Masters saw him fall just a shot short of McIlroy and he has continued in strong form, finishing second to Matt Fitzpatrick at the RBC Heritage and also to Cameron Young at the Cadillac Championship.

He took last week off to prepare for the test of Aronimink and believes his game is in a good place.

"Finishing second in a golf tournament is not bad, especially in the way I did it in a couple of them," he added. "I was (giving) guys so many strokes going into the weekend, mainly the Masters - didn't have a very good chance going into the weekend there.

"Hilton Head (RBC Heritage), didn't have a very good chance going into the weekend there. Cadillac, I finished solo second but didn't really have that good of a chance.

"Overall I'd say a little bit bittersweet.

"You know you're playing good golf and you'd love to get some wins.

"Finishing second hurts but I think when you reflect and you're looking at things to work on, there's a lot less to clean up when you're finishing second than there is when you're finishing 30th."

McIlroy will play alongside fellow multiple major champions Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth in the first two rounds of the US PGA Championship.

He will start his campaign on the back nine at Aronimink Golf Club in Philadelphia at 8.40am local time (1.40pm, UK time) on Thursday.

Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin is scheduled for a 7.40am (12.40pm, UK time) start alongside Lucas Glover and Stephan Jaeger.

Spieth is out to complete the career grand slam with victory here, his last major win coming at the 2017 Open Championship, while Rahm is looking to add this to his US Open and Masters titles.

England’s Alex Fitzpatrick, who secured his tour card with victory alongside brother Matt at the Zurich Classic last month, will be in the first group to tee off at 6.45am (11.45am, UK).

Scheffler is out from 2.05pm (7.05pm, UK time).