SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — 5-time main champion Brooks Koepka will play a nine-hole observe spherical Tuesday earlier than competing within the 126th U.S. Open at Sinek Hills Golf Membership.
Koepka withdrew earlier than the ultimate spherical of the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday as a result of weak point and numbness within the pinky and ring fingers of his left handcrafted it tough to grip the membership.
“It is getting higher day by day,” Koepka mentioned. “I might say yesterday was just about the identical as Sunday, however I noticed lots of enchancment in the present day. If I hadn’t completed that, I do not assume I might have gone out and performed.”
Koepka, 36, had pictures of her neck taken in Canada on Sunday and in New York on Monday. He mentioned they got here again clear. He suffered a herniated C5 and C6 vertebrae in 2021.
In accordance with the Cleveland Clinic, Koepka mentioned she believes the weak point and numbness in her left hand is attributable to irritation of the ulnar nerve, which runs down the arm, and may grow to be irritated by overuse or repeated bending of the elbow.
“I do not assume my grip power is one hundred pc, but it surely’s ok,” Koepka mentioned. “I am fantastic. I haven’t got any ache. I haven’t got any ache in any respect. That is the weirdest a part of this entire factor. I believe it needs to be slightly extra painful. You possibly can perceive why it hurts right here and never that. I simply really feel like I am hitting my humorous bone on a regular basis.”
The 2-time US Open champion mentioned he first felt signs whereas watching TV on Friday evening. The damage flared up once more throughout warm-ups on Saturday.
“It is shifting properly,” Koepka mentioned. “I can do something. Actually simply my ring finger and little finger. There have been instances once they would come off (throughout transitions). It felt like they have been coming off the golf membership, however they have been very weak. Then as quickly because the influence got here with the interplay with the turf, it felt like they have been fully coming off. So (I am) excited to have the ability to grip a golf membership once more.”
Koepka received his second consecutive U.S. Open title in 2018, the final time the match was held at Sinek Hills. Within the last spherical, he shot a 68, ending 72 holes with a complete of 1 over, one stroke forward of Tommy Fleetwood.
Since returning to the PGA Tour from the LIV Golf League on Jan. 12, Koepka has completed within the high 25 six instances in 12 begins.
He mentioned he likes the place his recreation is headed heading into the U.S. Open.
“I really feel simply pretty much as good as (2018),” Koepka mentioned. “I believe I am hitting the ball even higher than I’ve ever been earlier than. I had an awesome week final week placing. I am excited for the problem. This course may be fairly tough. I will should be inventive right here and actually work on my angles. I am actually wanting ahead to it and my recreation is feeling good.”
