The US Open 2026
Overview
Dates: June 18, 2026 to June 21, 2026
Location: Southampton, Long Island, New York
Course: Shinnecock Hills
Course Par: 70
Course Length: 7440
Prize Purse: $21300000
Last Weeks Review:
The 2026 PGA Tour season has turned into a carnival of surprises, a year where the script keeps getting shredded. Outliers are stealing the spotlight — players with little recent form, games that don’t fit the course, and odds so long they barely registered — suddenly breaking through. Bud Cauley is the latest name to crash the party, joining a growing list of under‑the‑radar winners. Just a week after J.T. Poston shocked the field at the Memorial, Cauley stormed to victory, setting the stage with perfect timing ahead of the U.S. Open. The main challenge came from Sam Burns, who looked poised to contend until his most trusted weapon betrayed him. Burns’ putter, usually a statistical marvel, went cold. For a player renowned for rolling everything he sees, it was inconceivable to watch him lose ground on the greens. Had he putted to his usual standard, Burns would have walked away with the trophy — instead, he was left watching another outsider hoist it high.
Preview
The 2026 U.S. Open tees off June 18–21 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, with World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler chasing a career Grand Slam and defending champion J.J. Spaun looking to repeat. Expect brutal conditions, lightning-fast greens, and a wide-open field where par will be the ultimate prize.
Tournament Overview
Dates: June 18–21, 2026
Venue: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, New York
Field: 156 players, cut to top 60 + ties after 36 holes
Defending Champion: J.J. Spaun (winner at Oakmont in 2025)
Shinnecock Hills is hosting the U.S. Open for the sixth time. Known for its exposed layout, shifting winds, and sloping greens, it has historically produced winning scores at or near par. Only two champions here have finished under par.
⭐ Players to Watch
Scottie Scheffler
World No. 1, aiming to complete the career Grand Slam. His consistency and ball-striking make him the clear favorite.
Rory McIlroy
Fresh off back-to-back Masters wins, chasing his first U.S. Open title since 2011.
Jon Rahm
Runner-up at the PGA Championship last month, remains a major threat.
Brooks Koepka
Winner at Shinnecock in 2018 but his recent wrist injury last week casts doubts.
Tommy Fleetwood
Shot a final-round 63 here in 2018, still searching for his first major.
🏌️ Course Challenges
Firm, sloping greens punish imprecision.
Coastal winds can change conditions dramatically within a round.
Wide fairways demand precise positioning rather than raw power.
Scoring outlook: Limiting mistakes is key; birdie streaks are rare.
📊 Key Storylines
Scheffler’s Grand Slam bid: Victory would cement his place among golf’s all-time greats.
Spaun’s defense: Few players have successfully defended a U.S. Open, making his challenge steep.
USGA setup redemption: After heavy criticism in 2018, organizers promise a fair but stern test.
Headline pick: Scottie Scheffler 12 units win +600