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U.S. Captain Steve Stricker Provides Update on Brooks Koepka’s Injury and His Ryder Cup Participation
The U.S. team is all geared up for the upcoming Ryder Cup. They are currently in Whistling Straits, the location of the tournament, for a team practice session. However, Brooks Koepka was missing from the squad.
Koepka, former world number 1 and a crucial member of the American team, currently has a question mark next to his name. He sustained a wrist injury during the Tour Championship, which forced him to withdraw from the tournament. There has been a lot of concern with no clarity on whether he will make it or not.
Jun 24, 2021; Cromwell, Connecticut, USA; Brooks Koepka plays his shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Brooks Koepka’s third appearance at the Ryder cup is under question
Brooks Koepka qualified for this edition with a spectacular PGA Tour season. He won the Waste Management Phoenix Open in February and achieved T-2 at the 2021 PGA Championship. He has featured in 2 consecutive Ryder Cups in his career, in 2016 and 2018. Of them, he has a respectable record of 4 wins, 3 defeats, and a halved match.
SOUTHAMPTON, NY – JUNE 17: Brooks Koepka of the United States celebrates with the winners trophy after the final round of the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 17, 2018 in Southampton, New York. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Kopeka’s career has been plagued by injuries which include issues with his knees and hips. This time, he hurt an already weak wrist while trying to get the ball out of the rough. While recovering, this injury might be enough to keep him from playing from the 24th-26th of this month.
‘Sounds positive’- Stricker on Brooks Koepka playing the cup
U.S. team captain Steve Stricker shed some light on the situation in a recent interview. He said, “I’m leaving it up to him. Talking to him every other day. I’m just going to say that we’re focused on him playing. It sounds positive. He wants to be there, and he’s working hard to be there. He’s rehabbing and his caddie is with him. I haven’t talked to him for a couple of days. I’ll give him a jingle tomorrow.”
And now we wait… pic.twitter.com/e129DOC9W0
— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) September 6, 2021
Stricker, however, refused to indulge in any talks regarding an alternative plan in case Koepka cannot play. He said, “No, I won’t tell you. Sorry. Nice try.”
The European team has won seven of the previous nine Ryder Cup tournaments. The USA, with their strongest team ever, will hope to disrupt this winning spree of their opponents. We’ll have to wait to see whether or not Brooks Koepka will join them in this endeavour.
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