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We're more than halfway home in the 2026 major season, as the best players in the world are ready to descend on Shinnecock Hills to battle for the U.S. Open title.
Here's a look at 10 players to watch for this year's event:
The Texan’s 20th PGA Tour win at the 2026 American Express made him the third fastest to reach that plateau. But while Scheffler hasn't won the last two majors (which for him seems like an eternity), his putting has been as good as ever, and we wouldn't be surprised to see him hoisting the trophy on Sunday at the U.S. Open, which happens to be his 30th birthday.
McIlroy won the Masters earlier this year for the second straight time, and took a lengthy break after the win. But his 7th-place showing at Aronimink in the PGA Championship shows he's maintained his focus.
After finishing in the top 10 in six of eight majors in 2024 and 2025, DeChambeau looked awkward at Augusta this April and missed the cut, then did the same at the PGA Championship.
Rahm's second-place finish in the PGA Championship at Aronimink helped snap a skid in majors. The Spaniard is LIV Golf's all-time earner at more than $80 million and he made more than $53 million on the PGA Tour before switching leagues.
Schauffele finished tied for seventh at the PGA Championship and has a pair of majors under his belt. winning the PGA at Valhalla in 2024, and then the Open Championship later that year.
It's been a great year for Young, who won the Players and the Cadillac Championship, but a major championship would really put an exclamation point on the 2026 season. A native of New York, expect Young to be in the mix come Sunday at Shinnecock Hills.
Fitzpatrick won the Valspar, the RBC Heritage and the Zurich Classic with his brother Alex, so he's been in fine form. And remember, his lone major win came at the U.S. Open in 2022.
Koepka's return to the PGA Tour has been impressive: He finished in the top 20 in five of his first nine events in 2026 and although his putter had been holding him back a bit, he's clearly a threat to win this event, especially since he captured the crown at Shinnecock in 2018.
Defending the U.S. Open title is a tough task, but Spaun's cool demeanor could help him as he looks to join impressive company with Koepka (2017-18), Curtis Strange (1988-89) and Ben Hogan (1950-51) as players to win consecutive crowns.
Hatton missed the cut at the PGA Championship, marking just the second time in the last 18 majors he didn't reach the weekend. But don't expect the same at Shinnecock, where he finished T-6 in 2018.
Tim Schmitt is the managing editor of Golfweek.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: 2026 US Open contenders at Shinnecock Hills
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Here's a look at 10 players to watch for this year's event:
Scottie Scheffler
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The Texan’s 20th PGA Tour win at the 2026 American Express made him the third fastest to reach that plateau. But while Scheffler hasn't won the last two majors (which for him seems like an eternity), his putting has been as good as ever, and we wouldn't be surprised to see him hoisting the trophy on Sunday at the U.S. Open, which happens to be his 30th birthday.
Rory McIlroy
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McIlroy won the Masters earlier this year for the second straight time, and took a lengthy break after the win. But his 7th-place showing at Aronimink in the PGA Championship shows he's maintained his focus.
Bryson DeChambeau
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After finishing in the top 10 in six of eight majors in 2024 and 2025, DeChambeau looked awkward at Augusta this April and missed the cut, then did the same at the PGA Championship.
Jon Rahm
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Rahm's second-place finish in the PGA Championship at Aronimink helped snap a skid in majors. The Spaniard is LIV Golf's all-time earner at more than $80 million and he made more than $53 million on the PGA Tour before switching leagues.
Xander Schauffele
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Schauffele finished tied for seventh at the PGA Championship and has a pair of majors under his belt. winning the PGA at Valhalla in 2024, and then the Open Championship later that year.
Cameron Young
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It's been a great year for Young, who won the Players and the Cadillac Championship, but a major championship would really put an exclamation point on the 2026 season. A native of New York, expect Young to be in the mix come Sunday at Shinnecock Hills.
Matt Fitzpatrick
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Fitzpatrick won the Valspar, the RBC Heritage and the Zurich Classic with his brother Alex, so he's been in fine form. And remember, his lone major win came at the U.S. Open in 2022.
Brooks Koepka
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Koepka's return to the PGA Tour has been impressive: He finished in the top 20 in five of his first nine events in 2026 and although his putter had been holding him back a bit, he's clearly a threat to win this event, especially since he captured the crown at Shinnecock in 2018.
J.J. Spaun
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Defending the U.S. Open title is a tough task, but Spaun's cool demeanor could help him as he looks to join impressive company with Koepka (2017-18), Curtis Strange (1988-89) and Ben Hogan (1950-51) as players to win consecutive crowns.
Tyrrell Hatton
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Hatton missed the cut at the PGA Championship, marking just the second time in the last 18 majors he didn't reach the weekend. But don't expect the same at Shinnecock, where he finished T-6 in 2018.
Tim Schmitt is the managing editor of Golfweek.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: 2026 US Open contenders at Shinnecock Hills
Continue reading...
