More than halfway through the 2026 major season, the world’s best players are ready to descend on Shinnecock Hills for the U.S. Open title.
Here are 10 players to watch at this year’s event.
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Scotty Scheffler
June 16, 2026. Southampton, New York, USA. Scottie Scheffler stands on the first green during a practice round at the U.S. Open golf tournament. Required Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Texan earned his 20th PGA Tour win at the 2026 American Express, making him the third fastest to reach that plateau. But while Scheffler hasn’t won the last two majors (which seems like an eternity for him), his putting is as good as ever, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him hoist the trophy at the U.S. Open on Sunday, which happens to be his 30th birthday.
Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the 18th green during the final round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown, Pennsylvania, on May 17, 2026.
McIlroy won his second consecutive Masters title earlier this year, but took a long break after winning. But his seventh-place finish against Aronimink at the PGA Championship shows he remains focused.
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bryson dechambeau
Bryson DeChambeau won the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst with a bag full of clubs containing LA Golf shafts.
DeChambeau, who finished in the top 10 in six of eight majors in 2024 and 2025, was clumsy at Augusta in April and missed the cut, and did the same at the PGA Championship.
Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm of Spain thanks the crowd on the 18th green during the final round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown, Pennsylvania, May 17, 2026.
Rahm’s second-place finish at the PGA Championship at Aronimink helped him overcome his slide in the majors. The Spaniard is LIV Golf’s all-time highest earner with more than $80 million and earned more than $53 million on the PGA Tour before switching leagues.
Xander Schauffele
Xander Schauffele reacts as he hits the 10th green during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club.
Schauffele tied for seventh at the PGA Championship and has two major championships under his belt. He won the PGA at Valhalla in 2024 and also won the British Open Championship later that year.
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Cameron Young
Cameron Young hits a tee shot on the second hole during the third round of the Truist Championship 2026 at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 9, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
It’s been a great year for Young, who won the Players Championship and the Cadillac Championship, but a major championship would put an exclamation point on the 2026 season. Young, a New York native, is looking forward to competing Sunday at Shinnecock Hills.
matt fitzpatrick
Matthew Fitzpatrick makes birdie on the 13th green during the final round of the 2022 U.S. Open in Brookline, Massachusetts. (Photo: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports)
Fitzpatrick is in great form, having won the Valspar, RBC Heritage and Zurich Classic with his brother Alex. And keep in mind, his only major win came at the 2022 U.S. Open.
Brooks Koepka
Brooks Koepka tees off on the seventh hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour was impressive. He finished inside the top 20 in five of his first nine tournaments in 2026, and although his putter has held him back a bit, he’s clearly a threat to win this tournament, especially since winning the Shinnecock crown in 2018.
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JJ Spahn
JJ Spaun celebrates with caddy Mark Kearens after winning the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club.
Defending his U.S. Open title will be a tough task, but Spaun’s level-headed demeanor may help as he looks to join the impressive ranks of players like Koepka (2017-18), Curtis Strange (1988-89) and Ben Hogan (1950-51) in the hunt for back-to-back titles.
Tyrrell Hutton
England’s Tyrrell Hatton reacts after hitting a shot during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown, Pennsylvania, on May 14, 2026.
Hatton missed the cut at the PGA Championship, marking the second time in the last 18 majors he has missed the weekend. But don’t expect the same from Shinnecock, who finished T-6 in 2018.
Tim Schmidt is Golfweek’s editor-in-chief.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: 2026 U.S. Open Competitors at Sinek Hills
