As the build-up to the opening round of this year's U.S. Open draws towards an end, conversation continues around who may end the week as the champion at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.
So far this year, Rory McIlroy and Aaron Rai have won the Masters Tournament and US PGA Championship respectively, creating the potential for a European, and perhaps even a UK clean sweep of the four men's Major Championships in 2026.
Tommy Fleetwood finished runner-up when America's national championship was last held at Shinnecock in 2018, while his 2025 Ryder Cup winning team-mates and top-20 players Ludvig Åberg, Sepp Straka and Robert MacIntyre are all fellow would-be first-time Major champions in New York.
Do you see Scottie Scheffler creating history and becoming the seventh player to complete the career Grand Slam? Is Cameron Young set for his Major breakthrough? Will Jon Rahm become a two-time U.S. Open champion?
Adam Scott, who makes his 100th consecutive Major Championship start this week, is one of just three players - alongside Justin Rose and Pádraig Harrington - who were in the field at Shinnecock in 2004, but how instrumental will their experience prove?
David Howell, the DP World Tour's record appearance maker, played in five U.S. Opens and gives us his perspective on who he thinks will be lifting silverware and who may surprise on Long Island. You can also make your pick for the title too below.
David Howell's U.S. Open picks
I can make a strong case for many of the top ten players in the world.
Rory McIlroy is so comfortable with his place in the game now, allowing him to play freely. Cameron Young is seemingly now fully ready to take a leap into the Major-winning circle. Matt Fitzpatrick is excelling with both his approach play and short game, although strangely struggling on the greens this year. But he already has his name on the U.S. Open trophy. There's also Tommy Fleetwood, who ran so close the last time we were at Shinnecock Hills.
However, I would have to say two other players are my favourites: Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler.
One has won it before and one needs it to complete the Grand Slam, and I’d like to think that the magnitude of that achievement for Scheffler might just add an extra level of difficulty for him. With that in mind, I plump for Rahm, who is fresh off a runner-up finish at Valderamma and with a renewed pep in his step after also running out tied second to Aaron Rai at the US PGA Championship.
In terms of a dark horse my mind can only go so far down the rankings, it is the U.S. Open after all.
Shinnecock historically is devilishly difficult on and around the greens, so short game wizards and great putters come to mind, and those who one thinks has the mental fortitude to join the Major winners club.
Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton, Robert MacIntyre and Patrick Reed come to mind, two of whom have won Majors, two haven't.
Despite his runner-up finish last year, I think The Open seems to suit the Scotsman’s game down to the ground rather than the American version so will leave him out this time. Hatton comes off a win and fatherhood too, a lot to contend with so I’ll go with Rose and Reed, and as I like to vote from the heart, Justin would be my pick from that quartet.
While it is unjust in many ways for Rose to be in that category, at 45 years old hopefully he won’t mind.
In terms of our DP World Tour first-timers at the U.S. Open, of which there are nine players, Alex Fitzpatrick is the best player, and I’d expect him to play well.
Comfortable in the USA now and in the form of his life, it would be hard to look past Alex as the stand out prospect.
But if you fancy a punt, just for fun, maybe Angel Hidalgo the showman can have a great week.
A shot-maker extraordinaire when it’s windy, the Spaniard would certainly turn heads. Watching the flamboyant swing try and hold onto a good finish would make for easy commentary. For that reason alone, I give a shout out to Angel, and wish everyone the best of luck.
