Koepka Hand Injury Clouds U.S. Open Bid After Canadian Open Exit

Brooks Koepka withdrew from the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday morning due to a hand injury, forfeiting his final-round tee time at TPC Toronto and raising immediate questions about his fitness for the U.S. Open, which begins Thursday at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York. The PGA Tour confirmed the withdrawal shortly before Koepka was scheduled to play. He had been six under par and seven shots off the lead through 54 holes.

Koepka described the problem to reporters on Saturday following a third-round 72, explaining that numbness in his ring finger and pinkie finger made it impossible to maintain a consistent grip. "I don't know what it is. I'm struggling to grip the club with my ring finger and pinkie finger, so can't grip it," he said. "The club is kind of just - 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 added that he had not experienced this type of injury previously.

The 36-year-old American returned to the PGA Tour at the start of 2026 under the Returning Member Program after a period on LIV Golf. In 11 starts before the Canadian Open, he posted six top-20 finishes, including a tied-12th at the Masters in April, establishing himself as a credible contender heading into the major season. Koepka is a five-time major champion. He won the U.S. Open in back-to-back years, with his 2018 victory coming at Shinnecock Hills - the same venue that hosts next week's championship.

The timing intensifies concern. Koepka carries no guaranteed status in the remaining Signature Events on the PGA Tour schedule, making FedEx Cup points at open-field events particularly valuable. Beyond the points forfeited by Sunday's withdrawal, the more consequential unknown is whether the hand recovers sufficiently in the days before Thursday's opening round at Shinnecock Hills. No medical timeline was provided.