Brooks Koepka Misses US Open Cut - Discover Hidden USA

Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka missed the cut at the U.S. Open on June 19, 2026, after shooting 10-over through the first two days at Shinnecock Hills. Koepka, who struggled with a hand injury affecting his grip, finished with rounds of 73 and 77, ending a streak of 11 consecutive made cuts at the tournament.

Did You Know? Brooks Koepka’s exit at Shinnecock Hills marks the end of an 11-tournament streak of making the cut at the U.S. Open, a run that spanned over a decade of major championship play.

Why Koepka’s performance faltered

Koepka’s departure from the weekend field was driven by persistent physical discomfort and inconsistent play. According to reports, the golfer arrived at the U.S. Open managing a hand issue that caused a tingling sensation in his left pinky and ring finger, which he confirmed hindered his ability to grip the club effectively.

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The technical struggles were evident during Friday’s round, where Koepka bogeyed eight holes. His performance on the greens proved particularly difficult during the final nine, as he failed to record a single birdie. A missed 12-foot putt on the fourth hole, following a drive into the rough and a subsequent bunker shot, highlighted the rhythm issues that ultimately prevented him from reaching the weekend.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that for a player of Koepka’s caliber, a missed cut at a major is rarely just about one bad round. The combination of a physical ailment affecting the grip and the demanding nature of a U.S. Open course creates a compounding effect, where minor errors on the greens quickly spiral into a deficit that is difficult to recover from within only 36 holes.

Other notable exits and weekend contenders

Koepka was not the only high-profile golfer to be eliminated Friday. The field for the remainder of the tournament will proceed without Viktor Hovland, J.J. Spaun, Adam Scott, Shane Lowery, and Rickie Fowler, all of whom failed to meet the required cut number.

Conversely, Harry Higgs secured a spot in the top 10 after a chaotic start to his tournament. Higgs accidentally packed shorts instead of pants for his Thursday tee time, forcing a scramble that ended only when his wife delivered his own pair of pants shortly before his 6:35 a.m. start. Higgs finished Friday 2-under, bringing his total to 1-under for the event.

What happens next

With the field now narrowed, players like Higgs and Cam Young—who recovered from a 2-over first day to shoot even par on Friday—will look to navigate the remaining rounds. James Nicholes, a New York native, will also continue his campaign, having successfully made his first U.S. Open cut with a 3-over total.

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As the tournament progresses, the focus shifts to whether the physical conditions of the course or ongoing health concerns for the remaining players will dictate the leaderboard. Analysts expect the pressure to intensify as the field moves into the final two days of competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Brooks Koepka miss the cut?
Koepka shot 10-over through two days, struggling with a hand injury that impacted his grip and failing to record a birdie in his final nine holes on Friday.

Who were some of the other notable players to miss the cut?
Viktor Hovland, J.J. Spaun, Adam Scott, Shane Lowery, and Rickie Fowler all failed to qualify for the weekend.

How did Harry Higgs resolve his wardrobe issue?
After a morning scramble where he considered wearing pants provided by a Darrell Survey employee, Higgs’ wife arrived at the course with his own pair of pants by 6:15 a.m., just before his tee time.

Which of the remaining players do you believe is best positioned to handle the pressure of the final rounds?