The Golf Course

Hosting the U.S. Open for a record sixth time, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club has long cemented its place in golf history. The storied venue remains the only course to host U.S. Opens across three different centuries—1896, 1986, 1995, 2004, 2018, and now 2026. distinction that underscores both its timeless design and enduring challenge.

Everything about Shinnecock Hills feels grand in scale. The property spans nearly 300 acres, including 42 acres of fairways, 8 acres of bunkering, and roughly 100 acres of native rough. Its expansive greens average 7,400 square feet, placing a premium on both approach play and lag putting. Extensive tree removal over the past 25 years has further transformed the course, opening breathtaking sightlines across the property and toward the coastline, while restoring the windswept, links-like character that makes Shinnecock such a formidable U.S. Open test.

The 2004 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club remains one of the most memorable and controversial championships in tournament history, largely because of course conditions that pushed the limits of playability. Miscommunication between the United States Golf Association setup team and Shinnecock’s maintenance crew led to greens becoming so firm and fast that play was temporarily suspended Sunday morning after balls repeatedly failed to stay on the par-3 seventh green. It took additional watering just to make the hole playable again.

Amid the chaos, Retief Goosen delivered a masterclass in survival golf. The South African one-putted 11 times during his final round, including five of his final six greens, carding a remarkable 1-over 71 on a day when the field averaged a punishing 78.7. In one of the great putting performances in U.S. Open history, Goosen’s steady hand separated him from the field and secured his second U.S. Open title.

In 2018 it was Brooks Koepka who held the trophy, but it was Phil Mickelson who went viral for his bizarre behavior on the greens when he deliberately tried to take advantage of the rules during the third round. Four-over-par for the day, Mickelson badly over-hit a putt on the 13th green and as his ball kept on trickling down the hill and when it was 15-feet beyond the hole, he hit it back towards the cup while it was still moving. He was given a two-stroke penalty and made a 10 on the hole en route to an 81, which matched his highest score ever in the US Open.

The Weather

Shinnecock is already one of the most demanding tests in championship golf, even in calm conditions. Add wind to the equation, and the challenge escalates dramatically.

The forecast suggests players could be in for exactly that kind of test this week. Strong winds are expected during the opening round, making a fast start far more difficult than usual. With gusts projected to reach 30 mph, approach shots into Shinnecock’s expansive yet notoriously firm greens could become especially treacherous.

With little tree cover across the property, there is virtually nothing to shield players from the elements, meaning the full force of the wind will be felt throughout the round. Conditions are expected to fluctuate over the remainder of the week as well, adding another layer of complexity to a championship already designed to expose every weakness in a player’s game

The Grand Slam Contender

To join golf’s most exclusive club with the likes of Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and now McIlroy, Scheffler needs only one missing piece: the elusive U.S. Open title.

His record in the championship suggests he is more than capable of getting it done. In his last five U.S. Open appearances, Scheffler has recorded four top-10 finishes, further reinforcing why he enters the week as the betting favorite. Yet, for perhaps the first time in years, Scheffler arrives at a major flying somewhat under the radar, at least by the lofty standards he has established.

Despite remaining one of the most consistent players in the world, Scheffler has not found the winner’s circle since January. While he has still posted six finishes of T-4 or better in his 11 starts since then, he has looked more vulnerable than at any point over the last three-plus seasons. Even so, the numbers remain staggering: Scheffler continues to lead the field in both Strokes Gained: Total and Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green, a reminder that even a slightly more human version of the world No. 1 remains an overwhelming threat to complete the grand slam.

Brooks Koepka Plans on Playing

One of the week’s biggest question marks surrounds Brooks Koepka, the 2018 U.S. Open champion and the last player to win at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. After withdrawing from last week’s RBC Canadian Open on Sunday, the five-time major champion arrives at Shinnecock with his health firmly under the microscope.

Koepka addressed the issue during his Tuesday press conference, offering insight into the lingering discomfort in his hand.

“I can do everything. It’s literally just my ring finger and pinkie finger… in the transition coming down, they felt like they were coming off the golf club, but they were just very weak.”

He added:

“I’d almost prefer there was a little bit of pain. It would make sense why this hurts and that doesn’t. It just feels like you hit your funny bone all the time.”

Since his return to the PGA Tour, Koepka has made 12 starts, recording one top-10 finish and six top-25s. The results suggest steady progress, though not yet the dominant major-championship form that defined his peak years.

Still, Koepka has built a career on peaking when the stakes are highest. If he can overcome the injury concerns and find himself in the winner’s circle on Sunday, he would capture his sixth major championship and further cement his legacy as one of the game’s most formidable performers on golf’s biggest stages.