The 2026 US Open returns to Shinnecock Hills, a club that first hosted the championship in 1895. The course sits between Peconic Bay and the Atlantic, offering a stern test for the field. With six appearances in the past four decades, Shinnecock’s heritage feels like a homecoming for the USGA.

European contenders look poised to make a mark. Matt Fitzpatrick, fresh from a runner‑up finish in Canada, and his brother Alex, who has adapted quickly to U.S. links, both fit the course’s conditions. Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry also enter the field confident in the firm fairways and winding rough.

American stars will battle for the trophy. Brooks Koepka, who defended Erin Hills last year, is back in fine form after a recent injury. Cameron Young, winner of Sawgrass, and Adam Scott, playing his 100th consecutive major, add depth to the U.S. lineup.

With 156 players starting Thursday, the field blends history and ambition. Oscar Bunn’s legacy lives on through the 2018 Oscar Bunn Facility, a free junior centre funded by the USGA. The tournament will broadcast on Sky Sports from 12.30pm, offering fans a full‑week view of the classic challenge.