Brooks Koepka withdrew from the 2019 CJ Cup at Nine Bridges on Saturday, citing a knee injury on the same knee on which he had surgery in the brief offseason.
A statement attributed to Koepka and released by the PGA Tour reads: "During the course of Friday's round, I slipped on wet concrete, aggravating a previous injury to my left knee. After consulting with my doctor, I have been advised to withdraw from the CJ Cup and head home for further tests. I appreciate everyone's concern and support. I'll keep you posted as I learn more."
At his season debut in Las Vegas, Koepka revealed he had undergone knee surgery during his brief offseason to repair a partially torn patella tendon in his left knee. The surgery was done the Monday after the Tour Championship in Atlanta.
“I was watching it on the screen as they were doing it and it was probably one of the most painful things,” he said. “I was screaming when they did it.”
Following three days of staying off his knee, he rehabbed for four weeks. Koepka said the knee problem was why he really didn't prepare much for tournaments in the prior season, blowing the cover on the idea he put forth that he only practiced during regular PGA Tour events.
“I can finally practice again, which is nice, without pain,” he said. “Last year, I didn't practice at all. I mean, I vocalized that, said I hadn't practiced. … I finally feel good enough where I can actually practice and feel prepared coming into golf tournaments – not trying to find it on Tuesday or Wednesday.
“I'll be practicing this year.”
