All you need to know ahead of the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.
When is the U.S. Open?
The 126th U.S. Open is the third of the four men's Major Championships and will take place from Thursday June 18 to Sunday June 21.
There will be three practice days held on the Monday to Wednesday leading up to the event when players will also face the world's media.
Where is it being held?
Located at the east end of Long Island, New York, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is one of the most storied and historic venues in American and world golf.
Founded in 1891, it was one of the United States Golf Association's five founding clubs and hosted the second U.S. Open in 1896, won by Scotsman James Foulis.
The present layout, on open, exposed, links-style land, was designed by William Flynn in 1931 and is routed in such a way that an equal challenge is presented regardless of the direction of the wind.
The venue had to wait 90 years to stage its second U.S. Open and since 1986 has played host four times with Raymond Floyd (1986), Corey Pavin (1995), Retief Goosen (2004) and Brooks Koepka (2018) lifting the trophy.
This year the course will play as a 7,437-yard par 70.
The U.S. Open will return to Shinnecock Hills in 2036.
How many players are in the field?
A field of 156 players will contest the U.S. Open.
What is the format?
The U.S. Open is a 72-hole individual stroke play tournament contested over four rounds.
Who is playing?
Any professional or amateur with a 0.4 handicap index or lower can sign up to compete for a spot at the U.S. Open.
10,201 entires were accepted for 2026, with local qualifying taking place at 108 sites before final qualifying was hosted in the United States, United Kingdom and Japan.
Players who come through final qualifying are then entered into the field alongside already exempt players.
To find out who will be teeing it up, click here.
How many players make the cut?
Players must be in the top 60 places, counting ties, to make the 36-hole cut.
What is the play-off format?
In the event of a tie at the end of the regulation 72 holes, a two-hole aggregate play-off will take place. If the players still can't be separated after two extra holes, it then becomes a sudden-death play-off until someone prevails.
That format is unique among the four Majors. In contrast, The Masters goes straight to sudden death, the US PGA Championship features a three-hole play-off, while four extra holes are the norm at The Open.
In 2018, the USGA scrapped its 18-hole play-off format for the U.S. Open. The last time the U.S. Open went to an 18-hole play-off 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.
What does the winner receive?
Among the benefits enjoyed by the U.S. Open winner are:
• A U.S. Open exemption for the next ten years
• An invitation to the next five Masters Tournaments
• An exemption into the next five Open Championships, conducted by The R&A
• An exemption into the next five US PGA Championships
• An exemption into the next five PLAYERS Championships
• Exempt status on the PGA TOUR for five years
• Custody of U.S. Open Trophy for one year, Jack Nicklaus Medal and a replica trophy
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 held at $21.5 million, with the winner receiving $4.3 million.
What is also at play for DP World Tour members?
There are a total of 10,000 Race to Dubai ranking points to be played for, with 1,665 going to the winner assuming they are a DP World Tour member.
Who is the defending champion?
JJ Spaun was the winner in 2025 as he won his first Major Championship at Oakmont.
The American began the final day one shot behind third-round leader Sam Burns and his chances of winning looked to have gone up in smoke after he carded five bogeys in his first six holes on Sunday. But a 90-minute delay due to dangerous weather just after 4pm local time changed things and he was in a share of the lead stood on the 17th tee. A birdie there edged him ahead and the he made a spectacular 65-footer on the last to get to one under and finish two shots ahead of Robert MacIntyre.
What are some of the key storylines heading into the event?
All eyes will be on World Number One Scottie Scheffler as he makes his first attempt at completing the career Grand Slam. His win at last year's US PGA Championship and Open, added to his two Masters triumphs, put him on the cusp of joining golf's most exclusive club and he has not slowed down since, with three further PGA TOUR victories, a runner-up finish at the Masters and a worst result of 24th.
One man who has already won the career Grand Slam is Rory McIlroy and he will be chasing more history in New York State. His win at the Masters took his Major tally to six and another would see him surpass Sir Nick Faldo as the European with the most Major wins in the four-event era.
Spaun may have been World Number 25 but he as still an outsider when he won 12 months ago and since he has proven he is no flash in the pan, claiming another PGA TOUR title, winning two points from three on his Ryder Cup debut and being an almost ever-present in the world's top ten. Aaron Rai was 44th in the world when he won last month's US PGA Championship and he will now be looking to follow in Spaun's footsteps and use a surprise Major win to build sustained success.
The year's U.S. Open will see eight DP World Tour members making their debut in the event. Alex Fitzpatrick, Jayden Schaper, Nathan Kimsey, Adrien Saddier, Filippo Celli and Angel Hidalgo will all be playing the United States' national open for the first time, while for Ugo Coussaud and Rocco Repetto Taylor, it will be a first appearance at any Major.
How can I watch it?
Sky Sports has broadcasting coverage of the U.S. Open in the UK.
For specific broadcast timings of all territories please check your local listings.
