6 Key Takeaways from Round 1 of the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills

The inaugural round of the 2026 U.S. Open commenced at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, marking the historic Long Island course’s sixth hosting of the championship. Following a short fog-induced delay, players embarked on a grueling four-day test widely regarded as one of golf’s most demanding courses. Only three competitors in tournament history have managed sub-par scores after 72 holes at Shinnecock: Raymond Floyd in 1986, Retief Goosen in 2004, and Phil Mickelson in the same year.

The Enduring Legacy of Shinnecock Hills

Shinnecock Hills, founded in 1891 as the oldest continuously operating golf club in North America, cemented its place in golf history in 1894 as one of the original five members of the inaugural U.S. Golf Association. Beyond its storied architecture, the course has hosted the U.S. Open across three centuries—19th, 20th, and 21st—a feat unmatched by any other venue. Winning here ensures not just a trophy but entry into an exclusive lineage, as champions join legends like Floyd, Goosen, and Mickelson.

Scheffler’s Grand Slam Pursuit Meets Tournament Demands

Scotty Scheffler, the 2025 PGA and Open champion, enters the U.S. Open just one victory from a career Grand Slam. Though he endured a disappointing finish at the Memorial Tournament, Scheffler’s season remains strong, boasting five top-5 finishes, including a controversial second-place effort at the Masters. In a press conference, he emphasized that while the U.S. Open would be a “dream,” his focus remains on self-improvement rather than historic milestones: “I always just wanted to be the best version of myself.”

Shinnecock’s Unrelenting Challenge: Wind and Terrain

Designed by William Flynn in 1931, Shinnecock’s layout mirrors a coastal links course, leveraging natural features to amplify difficulty. Triangular stretches of three consecutive holes—such as the trio bordering Shinnecock Creek—subject players to unpredictable winds and penalize wayward shots. Despite widened fairways, Rory McIlroy noted the course could play “much narrower” in adverse conditions, with “a lot of different slide angles” complicating approach shots.

If dry conditions prevail, the small, sloping greens will test precision, while the fescue-lined fairways threaten to engulf errant drives. Players and spectators alike are cautioned against underestimating the course’s capacity to deliver chaos.

Amateur Contenders Command Attention

The 2026 U.S. Open field includes 20 amateur competitors, among them 17-year-old Miles Russell, making his major debut. Russell, ranked as the nation’s top junior, adopted a pragmatic approach heading into the round: “I’m treating it like an AJGA event—focused on playing good golf and gauging my game against the field.” His composure underscores why he’s hailed as a prodigy.

Jackson Koivun, a recent pro convert and former top-ranked amateur, adds to the cohort of top-tier amateurs vying for glory.

Viewers can follow the action via Peacock, USOpen.com, or the USGA app, all offering live featured group coverage starting at 7:29 a.m. ET Thursday. Peacock will also simulcast NBC’s late-round coverage from 5–8 p.m. ET.

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