Key facts
- The 126th U.S. Open golf championship is returning to Shinnecock Hills, Long Island.
- The course will play as a par-70, measuring 7,440 yards.
- Shinnecock Hills is known for its challenging greens, dense rough, and prevailing winds.
- Several notable golfers have won the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills throughout history.
- Multiple players are vying for significant achievements, including a rare major championship double or career Grand Slam.
The U.S. Open golf championship returns to Shinnecock Hills on Long Island for its sixth staging, with the tournament set to begin on Thursday. The historic course, designed by William Flynn in 1931, will present a par-70 layout stretching 7,440 yards, with fairways being restored to their original breadth in 2026.
Shinnecock Hills is renowned for its demanding conditions, requiring precision with irons and a delicate touch on its firm, fast greens. Missing the fairway often leads to difficult recovery shots, favoring accurate drivers. Historically, the course has yielded few scores under par in the modern era, with Raymond Floyd and Retief Goosen being notable exceptions.
The championship's history at Shinnecock is rich and storied, dating back to 1896 with the participation of John Shippen, the first African American competitor. Notable past champions include Raymond Floyd (1986), Julius Boros (1963, 1968), Hale Irwin (1990), Corey Pavin (1995), and Brooks Koepka (2018).
This year's tournament features several compelling storylines. Aaron Rai aims to replicate Brooks Koepka's rare feat of winning both the U.S. Open and PGA Championship in the same calendar year. Rory McIlroy could join an elite group by winning the Masters and U.S. Open in the same season. World number one Scottie Scheffler, seeking to complete his career Grand Slam on his 30th birthday, faces a winless streak in eleven starts. Bryson DeChambeau, a two-time U.S. Open champion, is also a favorite given the course's challenging setup.
For Indian golf fans, the presence of Aaron Rai, Akshay Bhatia, Sahith Theegala, and Sudarshan Yellamaraju adds significant interest, with Bhatia having recently won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and Yellamaraju establishing himself as a top rookie.