Brooks Koepka to Compete at U.S. Open Despite Ulnar Nerve Flare-Up

Brooks Koepka is preparing to compete at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills despite managing an ulnar nerve flare-up in his left hand that has caused numbness in his pinkie and ring fingers. The four-time major champion withdrew from the RBC Canadian Open prior to Sunday's final round due to the issue but has since undergone a neck scan that returned negative results. Koepka described the sensation as feeling like continuously hitting his funny bone, though he emphasized there is no pain associated with the condition.

Koepka expressed confidence in his ability to compete, stating that his swing movement is unaffected despite the nerve issue. He noted that while his grip strength may not be at 100 percent, it is sufficient for tournament play. The golfer explained that during his swing, his ring finger and pinkie would feel weak, particularly during the transition and at turf impact, but he is comfortable returning to competition.

Returning to the site of his 2018 U.S. Open victory, Koepka feels encouraged by his current form. He described his ball striking as even better than during his previous championship year and highlighted solid putting performance in recent weeks. Koepka takes a pragmatic approach to Shinnecock Hills, which has hosted two U.S. Opens since his 2018 win. He noted that the greens appear slower and less firm than he remembered, and emphasized the need for creative strategy and precise angle selection on the Long Island course.

Koepka is scheduled to tee off Thursday at 7:30 a.m. ET. This marks his first return to Shinnecock Hills since winning the 2018 U.S. Open at 1 over par, and he is among six golfers making the transition from LIV Golf back to the PGA Tour who have recorded top-20 finishes. Despite the lingering nerve issue, Koepka remains focused on the challenge ahead.