Koepka to – Brooks Koepka says he plans to play the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills after withdrawing from the final round of the RBC Canadian Open with a hand injury, despite scans clearing his neck. He’ll tee off Thursday at 7:30 a.m. ET alongside Cameron Young and Chris
Brooks Koepka didn’t wait for the adrenaline of a major week to fade. Even after withdrawing from the final round of the RBC Canadian Open because of a hand injury, the five-time major champion told Golfweek on Tuesday that he’s still going to Shinnecock Hills.
“I’m gonna go this week,” Koepka said when asked about the possibility of withdrawing. The answer carries extra weight at Shinnecock, where he won the U.S. Open the last time it was contested there in 2018.
His injury story has been unfolding in small, sharp moments. Koepka told Golfweek that he began experiencing pain in his left pinky and ring finger on Friday night. The issue flared again ahead of his Saturday round at TPC Toronto, where he was co-leading after a six-under 64 on Thursday.
Saturday brought a tougher swing through the numbers: Koepka struggled to a two-over 72. By the time he faced the decision to step away from the RBC Canadian Open’s final round, the pain was no longer something he could simply grind through.
Two possible causes are on the table, he said: an ulnar nerve flare-up and thoracic outlet syndrome. He also had scans of his neck vertebrae, and those came back clear, an important detail for a player who needs his hands to respond on every shot.
Koepka’s year on the first two majors has been uneven. He tied for 12th at The Masters and tied for 55th at the PGA Championship. Now the focus shifts to the U.S. Open, where the injury question becomes inseparable from the timing.
For the opening stages at Shinnecock, Koepka is set to play alongside fellow Americans Cameron Young and Chris Gotterup for the first two rounds of the U.S. Open. His tee time is Thursday at 7:30 a.m. ET.
Brooks Koepka U.S. Open Shinnecock Hills RBC Canadian Open hand injury ulnar nerve thoracic outlet syndrome Cameron Young Chris Gotterup The Masters PGA Championship Golfweek
If his hand is hurt why is he even going??
So they scanned his neck and it’s clear, but his pinky and ring finger were hurting… doesn’t that mean the scan is pointless? Idk golf injuries are confusing lol
I heard on TikTok he had a nerve thing, like “thoracic outlet” or whatever, and honestly sounds like something they should just fix with rest. Shinnecock is gonna be brutal too. Also Cameron Young in the group?? that’s an odd lineup if he can barely grip
Brooks Koepka is tough but this seems like ego. He withdrew at the Canadian Open final round and then says he’s definitely playing the U.S. Open like nothing. “Neck scans clear” so it’s definitely not a neck issue?? but it’s still the hand?? I don’t get how they can tell. Next he’s gonna blame the golf ball or something.