A change of attitude seemed to be exactly what Sam Stevens needed coming into the U.S. Open. He was more than willing to admit that after finishing the first round of the tournament Thursday. 

Stevens had come to Shinnecock Hills after he missed the cut at the Memorial Tournament and had not finished better than 42nd in three starts prior to that. It led him to come to one big realization. 

“I’ve had a really crappy attitude, which makes golf a lot harder,” he said. “So I got a week at home last week and just kind of focusing on trying to stay positive and kind of enjoy playing a little more.

“I’ve played well this year. I just haven’t had maybe the best last month or so. So I’m not super surprised, but I’m grateful to shoot a couple under.” 

Stevens finished the first round with the clubhouse lead after shooting a 2 under par during a wonky day on Long Island that included a two-hour delay because of fog that interrupted the start to his round. 

The Fort Worth, Texas, native still has yet to win a PGA Tour event but has been off to a strong start in 2026, making the cut in all but one of his 13 starts, and even finished fifth in the Texas Children’s Houston Open in March and sixth in the American Express in January. 

Part of the attitude adjustment that Stevens gave himself involved removing the pressure he had been creating for himself. He was also able to gain “a little perspective” after spending a week at home. 

“Just maybe having a little too high expectations,” he said. “Then the moment that those expectations aren’t met, being a little more upset than I need to be. No broken clubs or anything yet. So that’s good. 

“It’s kind of one of those things. It’s a long season. I played a lot in the first half of the season. It’s easy to get worn down a little bit, and I just haven’t been as on top of keeping a good attitude as I should have been.” 

Stevens birdied Nos. 1, 3, 5, 9, 11 and 17 during his round, while only bogeying twice and putting up one double bogey on the 10th hole.