Brooks Koepka could not hold a golf club properly last weekend. By Tuesday at Shinnecock Hills, he was out playing nine holes, and making clear he's here to replicate his 2018 win this week.

The five-time major champion showed up Tuesday, June 16, at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club for a practice round ahead of the 2026 U.S. Open and gave reporters a positive update on his condition. Speaking at his press conference on June 16, Koepka explained his recovery.

"Yeah, 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 wasn't," he said.

His injury had forced him to withdraw from the final round of the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday, June 14, after experiencing weakness and a tingling sensation in his ring finger and pinkie finger.

Koepka, speaking to the media, elaborated on how his wrist felt on Friday after the weekend cut.

"...it just felt like it was very weak and kind of a tingly feeling as if you kind of hit your funny bone. That's kind of how it felt in my ring finger and pinkie finger."

The American golfer received treatment from physio Marc Wahl before reaching out to Dr. ElAttrache for further guidance.

Scans on the C5, C6, and C7 vertebrae on Sunday and again on Monday showed no serious problems. Doctors think his issues stem from an irritated ulnar nerve or a condition called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. 

Koepka has previously won the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in 2018, the last time the tournament was played there. He finished at 1-over par and won his second straight U.S. Open title after also winning in 2017.

Tuesday was his first visit back to the course since that victory.

Brooks Koepka on What to Expect at Shinnecock Hills

Koepka played the back nine at Shinnecock Hills on Tuesday and shared his observations ahead of the opening round.

The 36-year-old said the greens are slower and the course is softer than it was in 2018. Strong winds are expected during the first two rounds, making the course more challenging, he believes. He noted that good iron shots will be important for success.

"I think this golf course is a second-shot golf course. You've really got to control your iron play. The position off the tee, I think, is really important," he said.

He said the par-3 11th hole can be very expensive if players make a bad decision.

According to Koepka, missing the green on the left side can lead to big scores.

"You've got to miss it right. You can walk away with 5 very easily," he said.

Do you think Brooks Koepka can win a third U.S. Open title at Shinnecock Hills this week? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Surjo Ray