Rory McIlroy, Aaron Rai and … well, we’ll find out soon. The next men's major of the year is here, the 126th U.S. Open, and with that come a lot of questions. Can J.J. Spaun follow McIlroy’s lead and go back-to-back? How difficult will Shinnecock Hills be for the best of the best? Will Bryson DeChambeau ever make a cut again? It’s going to be a wild four rounds on Long Island, and we haven’t even gotten to Charlie Woods as a potential caddie extraordinaire.
Last year’s U.S. Open was a confounding one, with Spaun shooting two over on Sunday through heavy storms and delays, and still winning by two strokes over Robert MacIntyre. In fact, the now-three-time PGA Tour winner was the only pro under par at Oakmont. More importantly, he made this putt:
And now we’re shifting from one of the oldest top-ranked U.S. courses to a historic Long Island mainstay that has already played host to five U.S. Opens, most recently Brooks Koepka’s 2018 victory, the second of his five majors.
With that as a jumping off point, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions to get you ready for what’s sure to be a thrilling major at Shinnecock Hills.
Who conducts the U.S. Open?
The United States Golf Association (USGA) conducts the championship.
When is the U.S. Open played?
Traditionally, the U.S. Open is scheduled every year for the third weekend of June, with the final round scheduled for Father’s Day Sunday. This year, that means from June 18-21. The one recent exception came in 2020, when the USGA moved the championship to mid-September in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, then moved it back to its usual slot in 2021.
When and where was the first U.S. Open? And who won?
The first U.S. Open was played in 1895 at Newport (R.I.) Golf Club. At the time, it was a nine-hole course, so the championship was a 36-hole, one-day competition. The winner was an Englishman named Horace Rawlins, a 21-year-old who beat a field of nine other professionals and one amateur. He won with a score of 173 and was awarded $150, a gold medal and custody of the U.S. Open Trophy for one year.
What is the format of the U.S. Open? How many players are in the field?
The U.S. Open is a four-round, 72-hole stroke-play championship, with a cut after 36 holes. The field includes 156 players with the top 60 and ties playing on the weekend.
If players are tied after 72 holes, how is the winner determined?
Until 2018, if players were tied after 72 holes, the winner was determined in an 18-hole stroke-play playoff on Monday after the final round. The USGA has since changed the format to a two-hole aggregate playoff. If still tied after two holes, players will compete in sudden death until a winner is crowned.
When was the last time an 18-hole playoff occurred?
Tiger Woods reacts as he sinks a birdie putt on the 18th hole to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate at the 2008 U.S. Open. Woods would beat Mediate in 19 holes the next day to win his third U.S. Open title.
Gina Ferazzi
The last time the U.S. Open went to an 18-hole playoff was in 2008 at Torrey Pines between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate. They were still tied after 18 holes, so it then went to a sudden-death playoff, with Woods winning on the 19th hole.
We were just one shot away from seeing extra holes at Pinehurst No. 2 two years ago. Bryson DeChambeau needed a par on the 72nd hole to cement the victory, which he accomplished behind a ridiculous bunker shot. If he had made a bogey, DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy would’ve gone to the two-hole playoff.
Where is the 2026 U.S. Open being played?
Dom Furore
Dom Furore
Carlos Amoedo
Copyright USGA/John Mummert
Joe Raynor/Courtesy of Shinnecock Hills GC
Photo by Dom Furore
Carlos Amoedo
This year's U.S. Open is being played at the historic Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., located between the Peconic Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s out in Long Island and was among the five charter clubs that formed the USGA.
It’s considered to be one of the oldest links in America and was heavily remodeled by C.B. Macdonald, then replaced (except for three holes) by William S. Flynn in the early 1930s. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw worked on the course in 2012, but that was mostly limited to greens and fairways expansions and new mowing patterns.
This will be the sixth U.S. Open at Shinnecock with previous winners James Foulis, Raymond Floyd, Corey Pavin, Retief Goosen and Brooks Koepka. The course also hosted the 1977 Walker Cup and is already set to host another U.S. Open in 2036.
What type of course is Shinnecock Hills?
Ranked No. 4 on our list of America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses, Shinnecock Hills is a beloved northeast course renowned for its sandy, rolling terrain with few trees. The course’s difficulty depends on the weather, especially wind, and requires a Rolodex of shot-making skills.
Golf Digest Architecture Editor Derek Duncan has called Shinnecock “one of the most influential courses in American golf.”
Can you play Shinnecock Hills?
Only if you know the right people or have the winning lottery ticket. Shinnecock Hills is a private club that’s invitation-only, with membership initiation fees reportedly around $250,000. It’s said that there are only 300 members.
Is Tiger Woods playing in the 2026 U.S. Open?
No, he is not. Woods had not qualified for the championship before being involved in a car accident that led to his arrest on suspicion of DUI in March. Afterward, Woods said he was taking time away and subsequently did not play in either the Masters in April or the PGA Championship in June, both of which he had exemptions into as a past champion. He also did not file an entry for the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, so that will make two straight years that he has missed all four majors.
Intriguingly, Tiger's son, Charlie, could be a "participant" at this year's U.S. Open. Charlie caddied for junior standout and future college teammate Miles Russell at U.S. Open Final Qualifying, in which Russell earned a spot into the field at Shinnecock Hills. Potentially, Charlie could be on the back on the bag again this coming week, although it's much more likely that Russell hires a professional caddie with knowledge of Shinnecock to work during major week.
How many U.S. Opens has Tiger Woods won?
Tiger Woods sits talking with caddie Steve Williams on the fairway during the 100th U.S. Open at Pebble Beach
David Cannon
Woods has won three U.S. Opens, the last coming in 2008 at Torrey Pines. He previously won the U.S. Open in 2002 at Bethpage Black and in 2000 at Pebble Beach, when he set the record for the largest margin of victory in major championship history, winning by 15 strokes.
Who has won the most U.S. Opens?
Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus hold the record for most U.S. Open victories, each winning four.
Is Phil Mickelson playing in the U.S. Open?
No, he’s not. Mickelson, like Tiger Woods, will miss his third straight major to start 2026. He too was not fully exempt to play in the event and did not participate in qualifying. Mickelson has played just one tournament in 2026, missing other events due to an undisclosed family matter. The one major championship Mickelson hasn't won is the U.S. Open, keeping him from claiming the career Grand Slam. He has finished second a record six times, including at Shinnecock in 2004.
How can you qualify for the U.S. Open?
The U.S. Open is open to any professional or amateur with an up-to-date men’s USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 0.4.
The USGA allows those eligible players—a record 10,202 submitted entries this year—to attempt to play their way into the national championship. Qualifying consists of two stages, local and final (previously known as sectional). Local qualifying is played over 18 holes at more than 100 courses around the United States. Those who advance out of Local Qualifying (roughly 530) then compete in Final Qualifying, which is staged at 13 sites. Players compete in one-day, 36-hole events with roughly 65 golfers overall typically playing their way into the championship proper.
Has a U.S. Open ever been won by someone who earned a spot through Final Qualifying?
Lucas Glover celebrates his 2009 major victory on the 18th green at Bethpage State Park.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY
Yes. The last time was Lucas Glover at Bethpage in 2009.
Has the U.S. Open ever been won by someone who earned a spot through Local and Final qualifying?
Yes. The last time was Orville Moody at Champions Golf Club in 1969. Before that, it was done by Ken Venturi in 1964.
Is there an age limit to qualify?
There is no age limit to qualify for the U.S. Open. The youngest player ever to make the field was 14-year-old Andy Zhang in 2012.
What site has hosted the most U.S. Opens?
Oakmont Country Club outside of Pittsburgh has hosted the most U.S. Opens with 10, the most recent last year. Oakmont is set to host again in 2033, 2042 and 2049.
What state has hosted the most U.S. Opens?
New York has hosted the most U.S. Opens with 20. In addition to Shinnecock’s five (soon-to-be six), Winged Foot has also hosted six times. Oak Hill, Bethpage Black, Fresh Meadow, Inwood, Country Club of Buffalo and Garden City have all hosted over the years as well.
What is the U.S. Open scoring record?
The U.S. Open scoring record is held by Rory McIlroy, who shot a total of 16-under 268 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., in 2011.
What is the highest winning score of the U.S. Open?
The highest winning score is held by Fred Herd, who won the 1898 U.S. Open with a total score of 328.
What is the lowest round in U.S. Open history? Highest?
Before 2023, six players held the record for the lowest round in U.S. Open history with a score of 63. They were Johnny Miller (shot in the final round at Oakmont in 1973), Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf, Vijay Singh, Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood. Thomas’ 63 was the lowest score in relation to par (nine under) when he shot the score in the third round of the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills, where he ultimately finished T-9. Fleetwood shot his 63 in the final round at Shinnecock Hills in 2018, only the second 63 posted in the final round, along with Miller’s.
All these 63s, however, moved down a spot in the USGA record book when Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele both shot 62s in the first round of the U.S. Open three years ago at Los Angeles Country Club. Amazingly, their rounds finished within half an hour of each other.
The highest round belongs to J.D. Tucker, who shot a 157 at Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton, Mass., in 1898.
Who is the oldest winner of the U.S. Open? Youngest?
The oldest player to win the U.S. Open is Hale Irwin, who won the 1990 U.S. Open at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Ill., when he was 45 years and 15 days old.
The youngest champion is John McDermott, who won the 1911 U.S. Open at Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, Ill., when he was 19 years and 315 days old.
Has an amateur ever won the U.S. Open?
Bobby Jones holds the U.S. Open trophy after his 36-hole playoff victory over Al Espinosa in 1929 at Winged Foot.
Bettmann
Five amateurs have won eight U.S. Opens in history: Francis Ouimet (1913), Jerome D. Travers (1915), Charles Evans Jr. (1916), Bobby Jones (1923, 1926, 1929, 1930) and Johnny Goodman (1933).
How many times has an American won the U.S. Open?
Of the 125 U.S. Opens that have been contested, an American has won 89 of them. The latest was J.J. Spaun just last year.
When was the last time an international player won the U.S. Open?
Matthew Fitzpatrick plays his second shot on the 18th hole during the final round at Brookline
David Cannon
Four years ago. Matt Fitzpatrick hails from England and has made Brookline his home away from home, winning both a U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur at the same course. Spain's Jon Rahm won the year before that at Torrey Pines’ South Course. Before that, it was Germany’s Martin Kaymer at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2014, while England's Justin Rose won in 2013.
Which countries have produced the next most U.S. Open wins?
Second to the United States in U.S. Open victories is Scotland with 13. Englishmen have won eight times, while South African-born players have won five.
What type of conditions are the U.S. Open played in?
The U.S. Open is typically played under very difficult scoring conditions, where accuracy off the tee is essential. Fairways are often narrow and guarded by thick rough, and the course is generally set up quite long. Even par is usually a good score for the week, although the USGA contends that it's not looking at even par as a barometer.
What are the confirmed future sites of the U.S. Open?
2027: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, Calif.
2028: Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, N.Y
2029: Pinehurst Resort & C.C. (No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
2030: Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pa.
2031: Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, Calif.
2032: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, Calif.
2033: Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, Pa.
2034: Oakland Hills Country Club (South), Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
2035: Pinehurst Resort & C.C. (No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
2036: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, N.Y.
2037: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, Calif
2038: The Country Club, Brookline, Mass.
2039: The Los Angeles (Calif.) Country Club (North Course)
2040: Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pa.
2041: Pinehurst Resort & C.C. (No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
2042: Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, Pa.
2044: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, Calif.
2045: Inverness Club, Toledo, Ohio
2047: Pinehurst Resort & C.C. (No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
2049: Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, Pa.
2050: Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pa.
2051: Oakland Hills Country Club (South), Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
How much is the purse of the U.S. Open, and how much does the winner receive?
The purse for the 2026 U.S. Open has yet to be announced. The purse in 2025 was $21.5 million, with the winner receiving $4.3 million.
How many World Ranking points does the U.S. Open winner get?
The winner of the U.S. Open receives 100 world ranking points.
How many FedEx Cup points does the U.S. Open winner get?
The winner of the U.S. Open receives 750 FedEx Cup points.
Who broadcasts the U.S. Open?
In June 2020, NBC Universal reacquired the U.S. broadcast and media rights for the U.S. Open, taking over the remainder of a 12-year, $1.1 billion contract the USGA had signed with FOX Sports. NBC had been the official broadcast partner of the USGA from 1995 through 2014 and will now have exclusive rights through 2027. Four full days of televised coverage will begin on Thursday, June 18, on NBC and the USA Network, with additional early morning coverage on NBC's streaming service Peacock.
