Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka withdrew from the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday, June 14, 2026, after reporting a hand injury that left him unable to grip his club.
The 36-year-old was scheduled to tee off for the final round at 10:30 AM local time at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, but the PGA Tour officially announced his withdrawal just two minutes later at 10:32 AM.
Koepka revealed that he suffered from numbness in his ring and pinkie fingers, causing his grip to “come loose” during his warm-up.
The sudden exit comes as a blow to the American, who had positioned himself well early in the tournament. Koepka opened with a 6-under 64 to share a six-way tie for the lead before following up with a 68 on Friday.
However, physical issues became apparent during Saturday’s third round, where he was seen receiving treatment on his left arm and elbow at the 11th tee box. He eventually fought to a 2-over 72, leaving him seven shots behind the leaders at 6-under par entering Sunday.
Following the withdrawal, Koepka’s playing partners, Matthieu Pavon and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, proceeded as a two-ball for the final round. While Koepka had high hopes for the $9.8 million purse in Ontario, his focus now shifts toward recovery before the third major of the year. Much like how com/latest-sport-news-updates-miami-open-aintree-world-cup/”>Fils Miami Semi and Cromwell Aintree Target lead the current sporting conversation, Koepka’s health is now the central talking point ahead of the U.S. Open.
Specifics of the hand injury and physical struggle
Koepka detailed a frustrating morning on the practice range, noting that while he felt fine during initial warm-ups, the numbness intensified once he began full shots. He struggled specifically with his left hand, stating he had never dealt with this particular injury before.
This follows a trend of physical management this season, similar to how Cromwell confirms Final Orders targets Aintree, where timing and health determine the success of a major campaign.
The injury appeared to develop over the course of the weekend. After his strong start, Koepka was visibly in pain on the range before his third round on Saturday. Despite the mid-round medical intervention on his arm, the numbness in his fingers proved too significant to overcome by Sunday morning.
The loss of feeling made it impossible to maintain a secure hold on the club through the swing.
U.S. Open preparations and return to Shinnecock Hills
The timing is critical as the U.S. Open is set to begin on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. Koepka has a storied history at the Southampton venue, having won the title there in 2018.
His recent form on the PGA Tour had been encouraging, including a T12 finish at The Masters and strong performances at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, making this injury a significant setback to his momentum.
This season marks Koepka’s full-time return to the PGA Tour after his time with LIV Golf. While he has only recorded one top-ten finish in 12 starts this year, his reputation as a major championship specialist remains intact.
Fans were able to catch the final round drama on Golf Channel, but the absence of one of the game’s biggest stars undoubtedly changed the dynamic of the Sunday broadcast. All eyes now turn to New York to see if the five-time major champion can recover in time for Thursday’s opening round.
