Shinnecock Hills Hosts 6th U.S. Open as USGA Eyes 2036 Doubleheader

Q: Can Europe’s golfers conquer America's toughest test to continue their historic 2026 winning streak?

Yes—Europe has a realistic chance to make it three straight majors in 2026, but Shinnecock Hills may still favor the deepest all-around player in the field, which keeps Scottie Scheffler the man to beat. The case for Europe is strong. Rory McIlroy arrives with the best major record of the year among the leading contenders: a Masters win, a top-10 at the PGA Championship, and a game well suited to Shinnecock’s wider fairways and links-style demands. Jon Rahm was runner-up at the PGA, Matt Fitzpatrick is a proven U.S. Open winner, Tommy Fleetwood has been trending well, and Ludvig Aberg has produced nine straight top-21 finishes with six top-10s. Aaron Rai’s PGA title also showed Europe’s depth is not limited to its biggest names. Shinnecock, however, is a severe filter. Only three players have finished under par in five previous U.S. Opens there, and Brooks Koepka won at 1-over in 2018. Even with the USGA using wider fairways and slightly slower greens in a more “hands-off” setup, wind remains the defining defense. That kind of examination rewards patience, elite ball-striking, and control more than momentum alone. That is why Europe’s streak is plausible but far from secure. McIlroy may be the best European fit, with Rahm and Fitzpatrick close behind, yet Scheffler’s consistency and statistical dominance make him the biggest obstacle. Europe can win at Shinnecock, but it will likely require one of its stars to outlast Scheffler on a course where par is a very good score.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 15

Shinnecock Hills welcomes the U.S. Open for a sixth time this week, reinforcing the Southampton, New York, course’s place in the USGA’s long-term championship rotation.
2036 is already earmarked for consecutive women’s and men’s U.S. Opens there, a sign the USGA views Shinnecock as an anchor-style venue even without giving it that formal label.
Three official anchor sites—Pinehurst, Oakmont and Pebble Beach—are scheduled to stage 20 U.S. Opens over the next 25 years, but CEO Mike Whan said the model effectively extends to 10 or 12 recurring venues.
Since returning to the rota in 1986, Shinnecock has produced some of the U.S. Open’s most memorable and controversial moments, helping make repeat visits part of the event’s appeal for broadcasters and players.