Full Breakdown
Brooks Koepka to Play U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Despite Hand Numbness
6/17/2026, 10:43:00 PM
Core Event: Hand Injury and Decision to Compete
Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka withdrew from the RBC Canadian Open’s final round after his left pinky and ring fingers became weak and numb on Friday night, symptoms that returned during Saturday warm-up. He confirmed he will still compete in the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.
Background & Recent Form
Koepka won the U.S. Open in 2017 at Erin Hills and defended it in 2018 at Shinnecock Hills, the first back-to-back champion since 1989. After a three-year LIV Golf stint, he rejoined the PGA Tour in January and has logged six top-25 finishes in 12 starts this season, plus six top-20 finishes since his return, a tied-12th at the Masters and a tied-55th at the PGA Championship.
Medical Assessment
Scans of Koepka’s C5–C6 (herniated in 2021) and C6–C7 vertebrae in Canada and New York showed no abnormalities. His doctors cite two possible causes: an ulnar nerve flare-up, which can cause finger weakness and tingling, or thoracic outlet syndrome, a compression disorder affecting nerves and vessels between the neck and shoulder.
Official Statements & Tournament Response
Koepka confirmed via text that he will compete in the U.S. Open and told reporters his movement is fine, there is no pain, and his grip strength, while not at 100 percent, is sufficient for competition. USGA officials, speaking before round one, said they will address conditions on Wednesday and are playing conservatively early due to expected high winds.
Data & Statistics
Koepka has six top-25 finishes in 12 starts this season, six top-20 finishes since his PGA Tour return, a tied-12th at the Masters and a tied-55th at the PGA Championship. His 2018 U.S. Open win was 1-over-par 281; his 2017 win was a 16-under-par record-tying performance.
Why It Matters: Title Defense and Tournament Dynamics
Koepka’s entry adds a former champion with recent strong finishes, heightening competition for a field that includes Cameron Young and Chris Gotterup. Shinnecock Hills, hosting its first major in eight years, features slower green speeds than Koepka recalls, prompting a “play the hole backwards” strategy. His health could affect his performance and the tournament storyline.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Doctors have not confirmed whether Koepka’s symptoms stem from an ulnar nerve flare-up or thoracic outlet syndrome, and no definitive diagnosis has been publicly released, leaving uncertainty about the injury’s prognosis.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I'm gonna go this week.” — Brooks Koepka, PGA Tour player
- “It just feels like you hit your funny bone all the time,” — Brooks Koepka, PGA Tour player
- “The movement’s fine. I can do everything,” — Brooks Koepka, PGA Tour player
- “I don’t think the grip strength is a hundred percent, but it’s good enough,” — Brooks Koepka, PGA Tour player
What’s Next
Koepka tees off Thursday at 7:30 a.m. ET with Cameron Young and Chris Gotterup. USGA officials will address course conditions on Wednesday, and the tournament runs through Sunday.
