Brooks Koepka withdrew from the RBC Canadian Open before Sunday’s final round due to a hand injury, the PGA Tour announced.
Koepka, 36, was tied for 32nd at 6-under after shooting a 72 on Saturday and dropping 25 spots on the leaderboard. He went into Saturday’s round only two shots off the lead following a 64 on Thursday and 68 on Friday.
After Saturday’s round, Koepka received treatment on his left arm and elbow, later telling reporters that he was having difficulty gripping his club.
“Yeah, I don’t know what it is,” Koepka said, via Golf Digest “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.”
At the time, Koepka did not mention withdrawing as a possibility, hopeful that he and his team could figure out the issue and take steps to correct it so he could continue playing. Obviously, that didn’t happen and perhaps the condition worsened overnight. Tee times moving up at TPC Toronto were moved up for Sunday due to weather concerns.
Advertisement
Koepka explained that his grip difficulties affected his swing while warming up and then as he began the third round. According to him, his hand was not bothering him before getting to the course, but once he began warming up, the troubles with his grip developed.
A trainer accompanied him during the round and administered treatment at the 11th hole. Koepka said that he felt better during the last few holes, but that apparently changed once he was done playing for the day.
The injury makes Koepka’s status for next week’s U.S. Open uncertain. He was eager to play the event at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island, New York, where he won the 2018 event. That was the second of two consecutive U.S. Open titles for Koepka, who has won five majors during his career.
Advertisement
Jackson Suber tops the RBC Canadian Open leaderboard going into Sunday’s final round, one shot ahead of Bud Cauley at 13-under. Four golfers are tied for third place at 11-under.
Read the full article here
