Steve Stricker won’t need a 13th man after all. Brooks Koepka says he is healthy and will play for the U.S. in next week’s Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.
Koepka’s participation had been in doubt since he withdrew during the third round of the Tour Championship 11 days ago after injuring his hand while hitting a tree root while attempting a shot. But the world No. 9 confirmed to Golfweek Wednesday night that he will be in Wisconsin.
“I’ll be there. I’m good to go,” he said via text message. “I’m feeling good. Been doing my rehab, doing everything I need to do to be ready for the Cup. I’ll be there ready to play.”
Koepka initially feared he had aggravated a wrist injury from three years ago and that he briefly lost feeling in his left arm. “When I hit the root I thought it was a stinger and my wrist was feeling weird,” he said. “I lost feeling to my elbow for a bit. Feeling came back from my elbow to mid-forearm two minutes later, but from mid-forearm to hand was kinda numb.”
Koepka felt he had no option but to withdraw from the FedEx Cup finale at East Lake. “I couldn’t continue because I had no grip strength in my left hand,” he said.
One day after that withdrawal, Koepka said his arm still felt tight so he had an MRI scan that indicated no broken bones. “The MRI showed us some stuff and just making sure it’s calmed down and got everything worked out,” he said. “Grip pressure has gotten back to normal.”
“Some ice, some rest, some soft tissue work and some rehab and we’re good to go,” he said.
Koepka told Golfweek he started practicing in the last few days and that U.S. captain Stricker has been kept informed on his progress throughout.
“The captain and vice-captains have been informed every step of the way and know I’ll be ready to go,” he said.
The Ryder Cup begins September 24.
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