Koepka Clears Injury Hurdle, Confident for US Open Return at Shinnecock

Brooks Koepka declared himself fit to compete in the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills after successfully completing a nine-hole practice session on Tuesday, offering reassurance about his recovery from a left-hand injury that forced him to withdraw from the Canadian Open days earlier. The 36-year-old five-time major champion, who won back-to-back U.S. Open titles at Shinnecock in 2017 and 2018, said he would not have taken to the course if he had serious doubts about his readiness.

Koepka's injury stems from irritation of his ulnar nerve, which caused tingling sensations in his pinkie and ring finger reminiscent of a funny bone strike. Initial concerns about his neck—an area that troubled him in 2021—were allayed after medical scans came back clear. Koepka described the sensation as weakness rather than pain, noting that his grip pressure remained slightly below full capacity but that swinging and gripping the club caused no discomfort during his practice with Graeme McDowell.

The golfer, who returned to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf this year, displayed no visible signs of injury during his back-nine practice at the windy course. He expressed some frustration with the unusual nature of his condition, noting that the lack of pain made it difficult to understand why certain movements felt compromised while others seemed unaffected. Nevertheless, his ability to practice without apparent difficulty appeared to settle questions about his participation in the tournament.

Koepka's return to Shinnecock carries particular significance given his history of success at the venue and his recent transition back to the traditional tour. His withdrawal from the Canadian Open had cast uncertainty over his status, but his confident assessment following Tuesday's practice session suggests he will be among the competitors vying for the championship.