Brooks Koepka’s relationship with the U.S. Open is already part of golf history. In 2018, he became the first player in nearly three decades to successfully defend the championship, edging Tommy Fleetwood to claim his third major title and cement his status as one of the game’s premier performers on the biggest stages.
A lot has changed since that memorable victory. Koepka has battled through significant injuries, navigated the controversy surrounding his move to LIV Golf, and worked to regain the dominant form that once made him a fixture atop major championship leaderboards. With the U.S. Open returning to Shinnecock Hills, many expected the five-time major champion to once again be a central figure in the story.
A Sudden Problem Emerges
Instead, serious questions now surround his participation.
Koepka appeared to be building momentum at the RBC Canadian Open, putting together two solid rounds and positioning himself for his best finish since returning to PGA Tour competition. But that progress came to an abrupt halt during Saturday’s third round when he struggled to a two-over-par 72 and revealed he was dealing with a troubling hand issue.
The symptoms appeared suddenly, leaving Koepka searching for answers.
“I don’t know what it is,” Koepka said Saturday. “I’m struggling to grip the club with my ring finger and pinkie finger, so I can’t grip it. My fingers would come loose; it was kind of numb. I don’t know what the deal was, but hopefully we’ll figure it out.”
Unable to Grip the Club
What made the situation even more concerning was the lack of any warning signs before the round.
“The whole warm-up, I felt fine, I was absolutely good,” he explained. “Then got to the range and went to grip the club, and I just couldn’t even grip it.”
For a player whose success is built on consistency and control, the inability to properly hold the club created an immediate challenge. Despite attempting to play through the issue, Koepka was visibly affected as the round progressed.
He noted that the discomfort seemed to ease slightly near the end of the day.
“Felt better the last few holes. I don’t know if that’s just the meds kicking in or what it is. But hopefully we’ll figure it out now.”
Race Against Time Before the U.S. Open
Unfortunately, the problem proved serious enough to force a withdrawal before Sunday’s final round of the RBC Canadian Open. The decision immediately shifted attention toward the upcoming U.S. Open, where Koepka was expected to be among the leading contenders.
With the championship rapidly approaching, Koepka now finds himself in a race against time. Until doctors identify the cause of the numbness and determine the severity of the injury, his status remains uncertain.
For a golfer who has built a reputation for delivering his best performances on major championship stages, the timing could hardly be worse. The five-time major winner was expected to be one of the headline names at Shinnecock Hills, but whether he will be healthy enough to compete remains an unanswered question as the tournament draws closer.
