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Brooks Koepka captured the U.S. Open the last time the national championship visited Shinnecock Hills. But days ahead of the third major of the season, Koepka is dealing with a mysterious injury.
Koepka, playing in this week’s RBC Canadian Open, received treatment to his left elbow before Saturday’s third round. He was followed by a trainer for most of the day. Entering the day just two shots back of the lead, Koepka struggled to a two-over 72 that dropped him 25 spots down the board.
Speaking to the media afterwards, Koepka confirmed he’s in pain, yet doesn’t know exactly what’s going on.
“Yeah, I don’t know what it is,” Koepka said. “I’m struggling to grip the club with my ring finger and pinkie finger, so can’t grip it. So the club is kind of just, my fingers would come loose, it was kind of numb. I don’t know what the deal was but hopefully we’ll figure it out.”
Koepka said he felt alright during warm-ups although when he got to the range he struggled to hold his clubs. “I just couldn’t even grip it. So it lasted — it was all day,” Koepka said. “Felt better the last few holes. I don’t know if that’s just the meds kicked in or what it is. But hopefully we’ll figure it out now.”
Koepka later confirmed he had treatment on the 11th hole.
Prior to today’s development, Koepka was something of a dark horse heading into next week’s U.S. Open. In 2018 he shot a final-round 68 to successfully defend the U.S. Open, becoming just the third player in event history to go back-to-back at the national championship.
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Main Image: Minas Panagiotakis
