The 2026 US Open at Shinnecock Hills - the toughest test in golf
The 2026 US Open at Shinnecock Hills! Find out all about J.J. Spaun's title defense, dates, prize money and Tee Times for golf's toughest major.
The US Open is known for pushing the best golfers in the world to their physical and mental limits. In June 2026, the 126th edition of the championship returns to the legendary Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island. After the sensation in 2025, when the US American J.J. Spaun secured the title in Oakmont, experts are eager to see whether superstars such as Scottie Scheffler or Jon Rahm can strike back on this extremely demanding links course.
| Category | Race Details |
|---|---|
| Date | 18. June - June 21, 2026 |
| Venue | Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, New York (USA) |
| Defending champion | J.J. Spaun (USA) |
| Prize money | approx. $21,500,000 (total pool) |
| TV broadcast | Sky Sport Golf / WOW (exclusive) |
When will the US Open 2026 take place in golf?
The US Open is traditionally held on the US Father's Day weekend. In 2026, the tournament will take place from June 18 to 21. On-site preparations begin with the official practice days starting on June 15, where players try to decipher the often extremely fast greens and dense Rough of Shinnecock Hills.
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 USA and is famous for its exposed location, which makes it susceptible to strong winds from the Atlantic. Shinnecock is one of the few courses to have hosted the US Open in three different centuries (1896, 1986, 1995, 2004, 2018 and now 2026). The last time the "Open American" was held here was eight years ago. In the video you can see the course layout from 2018, when Brooks Koepka won with one over Par.
Who is last year's winner of the US 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 impressive defensive tactics. The American secured his first Major title at the US Open last year. The events between 1895 and 1910 were all won by British golfers before an American triumphed at his "Home Open" for the first time in 1911. The US Open has a long list of legendary champions. The record for the most victories is shared by four players:
- Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus each won the tournament 4 times.
- Tiger Woods has won the Major 3 times so far (2000, 2002, 2008).
How much is the prize money at the US Open 2026 in golf?
The US Open is the major with the highest prize pool in history. A total of around 21.5 million US dollars is expected for 2026.
- Victory in 2025: J.J. Spaun secured prize money of around 4.3 million US dollars for his success last year.
- Historical review: At the first US Open in 1895, the total prize money was just 335 dollars - the winner Horace Rawlins received 150 dollars of this.
When do the players start? (Tee Times & Time Shift)
Due to the location in New York (Eastern Standard Time), European fans must expect a time difference of six hours.
- Start time: The tournament starts at around 7:00 a.m. local time(1:00 p.m. CET).
- As the US Open is often played until late in the evening American time, the decisions in Germany are usually not made until well after midnight.
Where can I buy US Open tickets?
Tickets are sold directly by the USGA (United States Golf Association):
- Sales: ticket sales usually start a year in advance. Demand is extremely high for Shinnecock Hills 2026 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 will be handled through the USGA portal.
Daily tickets for the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club are on sale now!
- U.S. Open (@usopengolf) November 19, 2025
The qualification mode: an "open" championship
The name says it all: the US Open is indeed open to anyone (professional or amateur with a maximum handicap of 1.4). Every year, thousands of players take part in the "Local" and "Sectional Qualifiers" (also known as "Golf's Longest Day") to win one of the coveted places in the 156-strong field.
Myths, Traditions and History
- Toughest setup: The USGA is known for preparing the course so that the winner's score is often just under or even over Par.
- Women at the club: Shinnecock Hills has welcomed female members since it was founded in 1891 - a stark contrast to many other historic clubs of the time. In Augusta, the venue of the US Masters, the first woman was only accepted as a member in 2012.
- Scottie Scheffler could be crowned only the seventh Grand Slam champion on June 21, "only" missing the US Open title. The final day takes place on American Father's Day and is also Scheffler's birthday.
Spectator etiquette: "New York Style"
Shinnecock Hills offers spectacular dune landscapes that make excellent natural grandstands. As the terrain is very extensive and susceptible to wind, spectators are advised to wear windproof clothing and sturdy shoes. In contrast to the Masters, the atmosphere here is rather sporty and loud, especially when local New York favorites tee off.
Brandname
Title will go here and can run on two lines
Brandname
Title will go here and can run on two lines
Brandname
Title will go here and can run on two lines
Brandname
Title will go here and can run on two lines
Brandname
Title will go here and can run on two lines
Brandname
Title will go here and can run on two lines
Brandname
Title will go here and can run on two lines
Brandname
Title will go here and can run on two lines
Brandname
Title will go here and can run on two lines
Brandname
Title will go here and can run on two lines
Release date
11 Jan 2026
photos
The 2026 US Open, the third golf major of the year, will take place at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. In the picture: Justin Rose with the US Open trophy. (Photo: Imago / UPI Photo)
