The 126th U.S. Open Championship officially tees off today at the iconic Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. All eyes are locked on World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler as he steps onto the first tee with destiny in his sights. At the US Open 2026, Scheffler begins a historic Scottie Scheffler career grand slam pursuit, an achievement that would cement his legacy among golf's immortals. After claiming both the PGA Championship and the Open Championship last season to go alongside his two green jackets, the phenom has the unprecedented opportunity to complete the career Grand Slam on his very first attempt.
A Historic Morning on Long Island
Scheffler gets his opening round underway this morning in a marquee grouping that highlights the traditional US Open tee times format. He is joined by defending champion J.J. Spaun, who secured a dramatic victory last year at Oakmont Country Club, and standout amateur Mason Howell.
The atmosphere in Southampton is electric as fans pour into the grounds for the early rounds. For those following the US Open live stream, the morning coverage promises compelling theater. Scheffler's legendary ball-striking will immediately be put to the test on the opening hole, a 394-yard par 4 that demands precision right off the tee. While the world's top-ranked player has dominated PGA Tour news for the better part of three years, conquering Shinnecock Hills golf requires an entirely different level of tactical discipline. Only five men have ever completed the modern career Grand Slam—Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. Scheffler is now 72 holes away from adding his name to that exclusive list.
The Course: William Flynn's Brutal Masterpiece
Shinnecock Hills is synonymous with the toughest tests in the sport. Designed by William Flynn in 1931, the links-style layout will play to a championship length of 7,440 yards and a par of 70 this week. The property features rolling fairways, relentless fescue-covered dunes, and firm, undulating greens that will punish any miscalculation.
History shows that this course yields very few low scores. During the five previous U.S. Opens hosted here—won by legends like Raymond Floyd in 1986, Corey Pavin in 1995, Retief Goosen in 2004, and Brooks Koepka in 2018—the winning score has rarely strayed far from even par. Koepka's victory in 2018 came at just 1-over par, a testament to the brutal conditions that arise when the coastal winds sweep off Peconic Bay.
The Crucial Closing Stretch
If the Scottie Scheffler Shinnecock storyline is to end in triumph, he must navigate one of the most demanding closing stretches in championship golf. The 14th hole, appropriately named "Thom's Elbow," is a menacing 520-yard par 4 that regularly wrecks scorecards. Following that, the monstrous 614-yard par-5 16th hole features 20 bunkers scattered along the fairway, requiring absolute precision to set up a birdie opportunity. Even the shorter holes offer no relief; the 157-yard 11th hole, known as "Hill Head," is completely blind from the tee and surrounded by steep, punishing bunkers.
Defending Champion J.J. Spaun Returns
While Scheffler commands the spotlight, J.J. Spaun arrives on Long Island eager to prove last year's heroics were no anomaly. Spaun claimed his first major championship in 2025 by holing a dramatic 65-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole at Oakmont, securing a two-stroke victory over Robert MacIntyre. Defending a U.S. Open title is notoriously difficult; Koepka was the last player to accomplish the feat back in 2018 at this very venue.
Playing alongside Scheffler and Howell, Spaun brings a gritty, methodical approach that perfectly suits the grueling nature of a USGA setup. The trio represents the quintessential U.S. Open narrative: the reigning king of golf, the resilient defending champion, and the amateur dreamer hoping to make the weekend cut. Spaun's ball-striking clinic last year proved he has the mental fortitude required for major championship golf. Now, he faces a different style of architecture that rewards creativity and imagination just as much as raw power.
Can Scheffler Conquer the Elements?
Ultimately, the outcome of this championship will depend heavily on the weather. Unlike modern target-golf venues, Shinnecock Hills uses the elements as its primary defense. Early forecasts indicate brisk winds and dry conditions, meaning the greens will likely become lightning-fast by the weekend. Scheffler's unparalleled ability to control his trajectory and spin will be his greatest asset.
Fans tracking the leaderboard will be watching closely to see if Scheffler can maintain his trademark patience. Bogeys are inevitable on a layout this penal. The players who thrive here are those who accept their punishment, scramble effectively, and capitalize on the rare birdie opportunities. With the USGA accepting a near-record 10,201 entries for this year's championship, the 156 competitors teeing it up today represent the absolute pinnacle of global golf.
As the morning mist burns off the Long Island coast, the stage is set. Will we witness the crowning of golf's newest Grand Slam champion, or will Shinnecock Hills claim another victim? The next four days will provide the answer.
