“Can’t Hold the Club”: Brooks Koepka Opens Up on Concerning Injury Ahead of U.S. Open

Brooks Koepka’s preparations for the 2026 U.S. Open have been overshadowed by a troubling injury scare that surfaced during the RBC Canadian Open, raising questions about his fitness heading into one of golf’s biggest stages at Shinnecock Hills.

The five-time major champion began the tournament in strong form, opening with a 6-under 64 to position himself among the early leaders. But the momentum quickly shifted as an unexpected hand issue disrupted his rhythm and ultimately forced him to withdraw before the final round.

Now, with the U.S. Open just days away, Koepka has addressed the situation—and the uncertainty surrounding it.

“If You Can’t Hold the Club, It Kind of Does”

When asked whether the injury was affecting his swing, Koepka did not downplay the issue.

“Well, yeah, if you can’t hold the club, it kind of does,” he said.

Despite the blunt assessment, Koepka also expressed cautious optimism about his condition, noting that the pain itself is not what worries him most.

“I don’t think the grip strength is a hundred percent, but it’s good enough. It’s fine. There’s no pain. There’s absolutely no pain, which is kind of the weirdest part of this whole thing,” he explained.

That unusual combination—limited grip strength but no pain—has added to the mystery surrounding the injury.

Signs of Improvement, But Uncertainty Remains

Koepka said the condition has shown gradual improvement, especially in the days following his withdrawal in Canada.

“It’s getting better day by day. 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 weren’t,” he said.

During the RBC Canadian Open, Koepka received treatment on the course, including work at the 11th tee box and medication that temporarily helped ease the symptoms. However, the issue intensified later in the week, ultimately leading to medical scans in both Canada and New York.

Fortunately for Koepka, all scans reportedly came back clean, offering reassurance that no major structural damage was detected.

“We were able to get a scan on my neck because we were worried about that. That came back good, which is all good,” he said. “It just simplified it and made sure that’s what it was.”

A Nerve-Related Issue Under Investigation

Koepka described a tingling sensation affecting his ring and pinky fingers, which began after the second round in Canada. The issue appeared suddenly and without a clear trigger.

“I don’t know what I did,” he admitted, reflecting on the onset of symptoms.

Medical discussions have centered around a possible nerve-related issue, with Koepka mentioning the ulnar nerve as a potential source of the problem. That nerve runs from the neck into the arm and hand, which also prompted doctors to evaluate his cervical spine.

He has previously dealt with neck-related injuries, including herniated discs in the C5 and C6 region in 2021, adding context to the current concern.

Another possibility being considered is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, a condition caused by compression of nerves or blood vessels in the neck and shoulder area, which can lead to weakness or tingling in the hand.

Impact on Performance at the Canadian Open

The injury not only raised medical concerns but also affected Koepka’s performance on the course.

While he managed to start strong, his grip issues became more noticeable as the tournament progressed, particularly in the final rounds where control and consistency became more difficult to maintain.

Although he continued competing through discomfort, the situation ultimately led to his withdrawal as a precautionary measure.

Shinnecock Hills: A Crucial Return Point

The timing of the injury is especially significant given the upcoming U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills—a venue where Koepka has already produced one of the defining victories of his career.

In 2018, he captured the U.S. Open title at Shinnecock, successfully defending his championship in one of the most memorable performances of that season.

That history adds weight to his return this week, as expectations remain high despite his physical uncertainty.

History of Setbacks Before Majors

Koepka’s career has not been without injury setbacks at critical moments. From wrist issues in 2018 to knee and hip surgeries in 2019, injuries have periodically disrupted his major championship preparation.

He also withdrew from the 2020 U.S. Open due to lingering physical concerns, reinforcing a pattern that has made fans especially cautious whenever health issues arise ahead of major weeks.

What Comes Next

Despite the concerns, Koepka remains hopeful that the situation will stabilize in time for competition. He is expected to increase his practice load, including full 18-hole preparation rounds leading into Thursday’s start.

For now, the focus is on recovery, grip strength, and ensuring the issue does not flare up again under tournament pressure.

A clean medical scan has provided reassurance—but not certainty.

As the U.S. Open approaches, the biggest question remains unanswered:

Will Brooks Koepka be fully fit enough to chase another title at a course where he once made history?