Brooks Koepka withdrew from the RBC Canadian Open before Sunday’s final round after numbness in his left hand left him unable to grip the club, putting his participation in this week’s U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills in doubt.

The PGA Tour confirmed the withdrawal before Koepka’s scheduled 10:30 a.m. tee time at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ontario. The five-time major champion was tied for 32nd at six under par, seven shots off the lead held by Jackson Suber. He had been tied for the lead after an opening-round 64 before a two-over 72 on Saturday dropped him 25 spots on the leaderboard.

“I Just Couldn’t Even Grip It”

Koepka said the problem appeared without warning during his third round.

“The whole warm-up, I felt fine, I was absolutely good, then got to the range and went to grip the club and I just couldn’t even grip it.”

He described losing function in specific fingers. “I’m struggling to grip the club with my ring finger and pinkie finger, so can’t grip it,” he said. “So the club is kind of just, my fingers would come loose, it was kind of numb.”

The symptoms persisted throughout Saturday’s round. Golf Today reported that a trainer accompanied Koepka for all 18 holes and that he received treatment on his left arm and elbow, including on the 11th tee during play. He said the feeling improved late in the round but could not explain why. “I don’t know if that’s just the meds kicked in or what it is,” he said.

No diagnosis has been reported. Koepka said the issue was unfamiliar. “Not this. I don’t know what it is,” he said. “I don’t know what the deal was but hopefully we’ll figure it out.”

U.S. Open Status

The 126th U.S. Open begins Thursday, June 18, at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. Koepka won there in 2018 for the second of his back-to-back U.S. Open titles, and the course has hosted the championship five previous times, in 1896, 1986, 1995, 2004 and 2018.

The decision to pull out of Sunday’s final round, with cold and windy conditions forecast in Toronto, appeared aimed at protecting his chances of teeing it up at the major. That leaves Koepka with roughly four days to resolve a grip issue affecting his ability to swing.

Recent Form

Koepka, 36, returned to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf under the Returning Member Program at the start of 2026. He had posted six top-20 finishes in 11 starts before the Canadian Open, including a tied-12th at the Masters in April and a tied-fourth at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson. He ranked fourth on Tour in strokes gained approach entering the week and led the Canadian Open field in strokes gained putting through 54 holes.

The grip problem is distinct from the knee and hip issues that have interrupted Koepka’s career in previous seasons. His next scheduled start is Thursday at Shinnecock Hills, where he won the 2018 U.S. Open, with his status dependent on the condition of his left hand.

Hero image: USGA/Jeff Haynes