Scheffler Leads Favorites at Demanding Shinnecock Hills for 2026 U.S. Open

The third major championship of the season has arrived as the golf world descends on Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. Located on the east end of Long Island, the historic venue is set to host a demanding test. All eyes are on world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who enters the week as the clear favorite at +621 (Pinnacle). Scheffler is just a U.S. Open trophy away from completing the career Grand Slam. He has thrived in this championship before, finishing tied for second in 2022 and tied for seventh last year.

Standing in his way is a highly competitive field, led by Rory McIlroy at +1272 (Pinnacle). McIlroy, who has won back-to-back Masters, is aiming for his second major of the year and has not finished outside the top 20 since his April victory at Augusta. Jon Rahm +1507 (Pinnacle) is also in peak form, coming off a runner-up finish at last month's PGA Championship.

Shinnecock's Demanding History

Shinnecock Hills is legendary for its punishing setups, which have historically pushed players to their limits. The tournament last visited the Long Island course in 2018, when Brooks Koepka +4284 (Pinnacle) took home the title. That week, and the infamous 2004 iteration, put former USGA chief Mike Davis under immense pressure. In 2004, the setup famously went over the edge during the final round, particularly at the par-3 seventh hole, where the raised, unprotected putting surface dried out and became too slick to play.

Another intriguing storyline belongs to Aaron Rai +10500 (DraftKings). The 31-year-old Englishman recently won the PGA Championship, becoming the first player from England to do so in the stroke-play era. If Rai can secure the trophy at Shinnecock, he will join an incredibly exclusive club. Only five golfers have ever won the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open in the same calendar year. The last to achieve the double was Koepka in 2018, and Tiger Woods +20000 (Bovada) before him in 2000.