Brooks Koepka arrived at the US Open with incredible memories of Shinnecock Hills – but also a problem…
The last time a US Open was held at Shinnecock Hills, Brooks Koepka was the last man standing.
Koepka became the first player to go back-to-back in the US Open in 29 years when he edged out Tommy Fleetwood to win his third major championship in 2018.
So much has happened in Koepka’s life since then – including some significant injury trouble and a controversial move to LIV Golf – but the American was supposed to be one of the protagonists again at Shinnecock this time around.
Now though, the five-time major champion heads to Long Island with a cloud hanging over his fitness. Koepka withdrew before the final round of last week’s RBC Canadian Open citing discomfort with a mystery hand injury.
“I don’t know what it is,” he said on Saturday. “I’m struggling to grip the club with my ring finger and pinkie finger, so 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.”
Koepka’s comments felt ominous and prompted huge doubts about his participation at this week’s US Open – his first return to Shinnecock since his victory eight years ago.
But Koepka allayed fears of a possible withdrawal with a positive update in his pre-tournament press conference.
“It’s getting better day by day,” he said. “I would say yesterday was pretty much how it was Sunday, but today there was quite a bit of improvement. I don’t think I would have gone out and played if it wasn’t.”
Koepka had visited a doctor and had scans on his neck over the weekend, before it was determined the problem stemmed from the ulnar nerve – the nerve that controls movement and feeling in your hand.
“Everything’s fine,” he explained. “The movement’s fine. I can do everything. It’s literally just my ring finger and pinkie finger… on the transition coming down, they would come off. It felt like they were coming off the golf club, but they were just very weak. Then as soon as impact would come with the turf interaction, it felt like it was fully off. So excited to be able to hold a golf club again.”
Koepka did not practice at Shinnecock on Monday, but played nine holes on Tuesday and has been pleased with his progress. And in an even more auspicious update, Koepka said that he is playing equally as well as when he won his second US Open in 2018. Perhaps he will be a problem this week after all.
“I feel just as good,” Koepka said. “I think ball striking is even better than what it’s been. Putting, I had a great week putting last week. I’m excited for the challenge.
“This course can be quite difficult. You’re going to have to be creative around this place and really, really work on your angles coming in. I’m excited about it, and the game feels good.”
Koepka will get his attempt to win a third US Open title underway at 7.30am alongside Cameron Young and Chris Gotterup.