The 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills — Golf's Toughest Test

The U.S. Open is known for pushing the world’s best golfers to their physical and mental limits. In June 2026, the 126th edition of the championship will return to the legendary Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island. Following the upset in 2025, when American J.J. Spaun claimed the title at Oakmont, golf experts are eagerly watching to see if superstars like Scottie Scheffler or Jon Rahm can bounce back on this extremely challenging links course.

When will the 2026 U.S. Open in golf take place?

The U.S. Open is traditionally held on the weekend of U.S. Father’s Day. In 2026, the tournament will take place from June 18 to 21. On-site preparations begin with the official practice rounds starting June 15, during which players will attempt to figure out the often extremely fast greens and thick Rough at Shinnecock Hills.

Click here for the 2026 U.S. Open live leaderboard.

Where is the US Open in golf held?

The venue is the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. It is considered one of the oldest and most exclusive golf clubs in the U.S. and is famous for its exposed location, which makes it susceptible to strong winds from the Atlantic Ocean. Shinnecock is one of the few courses to have hosted the U.S. Open in three different centuries (1896, 1986, 1995, 2004, 2018, and now 2026). The last time the “U.S. Open” was held here was eight years ago. In the video, you can see the 2018 course layout. Back then, Brooks Koepka won with a score of one over Par.

Who is the defending champion of the U.S. Open, and who are the record holders?

The defending champion for 2026 is J.J. Spaun, who led the field at Oakmont in 2025 with an impressive defensive strategy. The American secured his first major title at last year’s U.S. Open. The tournaments held between 1895 and 1910 were all won by British golfers, before an American triumphed for the first time at his “Home Open” in 1911. The U.S. Open has a long list of legendary champions. Four players share the record for the most wins:

• Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, and Jack Nicklaus each won the tournament four times.
• Tiger Woods has won the major three times so far (2000, 2002, 2008).

Read all about the favorites and their form ahead of the 2026 U.S. Open here.

What is the prize money for the 2026 U.S. Open in golf?

The U.S. Open is the major with the historically highest prize pool. A total of approximately $21.5 million is expected for 2026.

• 2025 Winner: J.J. Spaun secured prize money of around $4.3 million for his victory the previous year.
• A look back at history: At the first U.S. Open in 1895, the total prize money was just $335—of which winner Horace Rawlins received $150.

When do the players tee off? (Tee Times & Time Difference)

Due to the tournament’s location in New York (Eastern Standard Time), European fans should expect a six-hour time difference.

• Start time: The tournament begins at 6:35 a.m. local time (12:35 p.m. CET).
• Since the U.S. Open often continues into the late evening hours in the U.S., the final results are usually not decided in Germany until well past midnight.

Here you’ll find the 2026 U.S. Open tee times.

Where can you buy US Open tickets?

Tickets are sold directly through the USGA (United States Golf Association):

• Sales: Ticket sales usually begin one year in advance. For Shinnecock Hills 2026, demand is extremely high due to its proximity to New York City.
• Categories: There are “Gallery Tickets” for general admission and exclusive “Trophy Club” packages.
• Official Resale: Certified resales are handled through the USGA portal.

The Qualifying Format: An “Open” Championship

The name says it all: The U.S. Open is indeed open to everyone (professionals or amateurs with a maximum handicap of 1.4). Every year, thousands of players compete in the “Local” and “Sectional Qualifiers” (also known as “Golf’s Longest Day”) to secure one of the coveted spots in the 156-player field.

Myths, Traditions, and History

• Toughest Course Setup: The USGA is known for preparing the course in such a way that the winner’s score is often just below or even above Par.
• Women in the Club: Shinnecock Hills has accepted female members since its founding in 1891—a stark contrast to many other historic clubs of that era. At Augusta, the site of the U.S. Masters, the first woman was not admitted as a member until 2012.
• Scottie Scheffler could become only the seventh Grand Slam champion on June 21; all he “needs” is the U.S. Open title. The final round takes place on Father’s Day in the U.S. and also happens to be Scheffler’s birthday.

Spectator Etiquette: “New York Style”

Shinnecock Hills offers spectacular dune landscapes that form excellent natural grandstands. Since the grounds are very expansive and prone to wind, spectators are advised to wear windproof clothing and sturdy shoes. In contrast to the Masters, the atmosphere here is more boisterous and sports-oriented, especially when local New York favorites tee off.