U.S. Open Injury Report: Koepka's Hand Concern and Morikawa's Return to Shinnecock Hills

The lead-up to the 126th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills has been overshadowed by a wave of physical ailments, transforming the final preparation days into a race for rehabilitation. As the world's best golfers converge on the historic New York venue, the physical toll of the modern season is coming into sharp focus. For several top contenders, the primary opponent this week is not the punishing fescue or the coastal winds, but their own bodies. The latest injury reports reveal a field battling to get healthy just in time for the season's third major.

The most pressing concern surrounds five-time major champion Brooks Koepka, who abruptly withdrew from the RBC Canadian Open just days before he was scheduled to travel to Shinnecock. Koepka had opened the tournament at TPC Toronto with a blistering six-under-par 64, placing him in a six-way tie for the lead. However, his momentum stalled on Saturday as he visibly struggled through a two-over-par 72, prompting his withdrawal ahead of Sunday's final round.[3][4]

The root of Koepka's withdrawal is a sudden and mysterious hand injury that severely impaired his ability to hold the golf club. Speaking to reporters after his third round, the 36-year-old revealed that he was experiencing numbness in his fingers. He explained that his ring and pinkie fingers were coming loose during his swing, making it impossible to maintain a secure grip on the club.[1][3]

The onset of the issue was startlingly rapid. Koepka noted that he felt perfectly fine during his initial warm-up routine, but the pain and numbness materialized as soon as he transitioned to the driving range. He spent the entirety of his Saturday round battling the discomfort, eventually receiving on-course medical treatment from a trainer on the 11th hole.[1][2]

Despite the alarming nature of the numbness, Koepka expressed a cautious optimism that the issue could be resolved before Thursday's opening tee shots. He noted that the sensation marginally improved over his final few holes in Canada, though he remained unsure whether that was due to medication taking effect or the injury subsiding. His status is particularly notable given his history at Shinnecock Hills, where he successfully defended his U.S. Open title in 2018.[1][2][4]

While Koepka races to diagnose a new ailment, two-time major champion Collin Morikawa arrives in New York attempting to manage a chronic one. The 29-year-old has been battling a lingering back injury since March, when a painful practice swing forced him to withdraw from The Players Championship after completing just one hole.[5][6]

Morikawa has continued to compete through the discomfort, posting commendable top-ten finishes at both the Masters and the RBC Heritage. However, he admitted that he left the PGA Championship feeling physically compromised, noting that he had been "grinding" through the back issue for months without ever feeling fully comfortable over the ball.[6]

In a bid to protect his long-term health and prepare for the U.S. Open, Morikawa opted for a strategic reset. He skipped the Memorial Tournament to welcome the birth of his first child with his wife, Katherine. This extended break provided a dual benefit, allowing him to celebrate a major family milestone while giving his battered back a much-needed period of rest.[5][6]

Morikawa acknowledged that his recovery is now an exercise in building physical trust. He told reporters that he is taking all the right preventative steps but remains slightly "on edge" about the prospect of re-aggravating the injury. The psychological trauma of the initial injury at TPC Sawgrass still lingers, requiring him to carefully manage his swing mechanics to avoid another flare-up.[5]

Beyond the headline stars, the grueling nature of the professional schedule has forced other notable names to step away entirely. England's Marco Penge officially withdrew from the U.S. Open field, citing a severe viral infection that has plagued him since last November. Penge has endured a battery of symptoms, including vertigo and sinus infections, prompting him to prioritize a full medical resolution over major championship competition.[5][8]

The attrition extends across the broader professional landscape, with players like Jake Knapp and J.T. Poston also managing recent physical setbacks. Knapp was forced to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament due to a lingering thumb and wrist issue that prevented him from taking full swings during practice rounds, while Poston skipped the Canadian Open entirely.[7][8]

These cascading health updates highlight the immense biomechanical strain of the modern golf swing, which prioritizes extreme rotational velocity and torque. As the sport has evolved into a power-centric game, the physical demands placed on the lower back, wrists, and hands have skyrocketed. For the field assembling at Shinnecock Hills, surviving the U.S. Open will require not just tactical precision, but the sheer physical resilience to withstand four days of punishing championship golf.