Updated

Updated · PGA TOUR · Jun 16

PGA Tour Sets 2026 U.S. Open Tee Times, Headlined by 7:52 a.m. McIlroy-Åberg-Fleetwood Group

Updated

Updated · PGA TOUR · Jun 16

PGA Tour Sets 2026 U.S. Open Tee Times, Headlined by 7:52 a.m. McIlroy-Åberg-Fleetwood Group

Q: Can the USGA's new setup strategy finally tame the notorious and controversial Shinnecock Hills?

Probably yes in terms of fairness, but not in terms of difficulty. The USGA’s revised plan at Shinnecock Hills is clearly designed to avoid the kind of controversy that defined 2004 and, to a lesser extent, 2018, when greens became excessively firm and fast and the course drifted toward unplayable. Chief Championships Officer John Bodenhamer has said the governing body learned from those mistakes, and the setup reflects that: wider fairways, more moderate green speeds, a gradual build-up in firmness through the week, and a willingness to add water if wind and sun push conditions too far. That should make Shinnecock more manageable as a championship venue without softening its identity. The course remains one of the hardest in golf because of its exposed, windswept property, deep rough, firm sandy base, severe green contours and demanding hole locations. Even with fairer landing areas, players still face a relentless test of ball control and decision-making. The real variable is wind, which no setup can fully tame. Rory McIlroy and others have stressed that if gusts rise into the 25-to-30 mph range, even sensible green speeds can become a competitive-integrity issue on holes such as the exposed par-3 11th. That is why the USGA’s new philosophy matters: it is less about forcing a target score and more about letting Shinnecock’s natural defenses decide the championship. So the strategy can likely tame the controversy. It is far less likely to tame Shinnecock itself.

Q: Will Scottie Scheffler’s Grand Slam dream survive Shinnecock's brutal test on his 30th birthday?

Yes—but only if Scheffler’s greatest strengths hold up under the one major setup most likely to expose any weakness. He arrives at Shinnecock Hills as the field’s best all-around player statistically, leading in strokes gained total and tee-to-green, with six top-four finishes in his last 11 starts. He also sounded confident after a practice round, saying he liked where his game was and did not need further adjustments. That matters at Shinnecock, where indecision can be as damaging as a poor swing. The problem is that Shinnecock is built to punish even elite ball-strikers. Its narrow fairways, 4-to-5-inch rough, firm greens and constant wind make it one of the hardest U.S. Open venues. Only three players have finished under par in the previous four Opens there, and Brooks Koepka won at 1-over in 2018. Forecasts call for gusts above 30 mph early in the week, exactly the kind of conditions that turn the course into a survival test. Scheffler’s case is strong because his game is disciplined, powerful and reliable enough for a U.S. Open. He also ranks among the best at avoiding mistakes, which is often more important than making birdies at Shinnecock. But there is a real warning sign: his approach play has not been as sharp as in his peak stretches, and precise iron control is essential on these greens. So his Grand Slam dream is very much alive entering his 30th birthday week, but Shinnecock is unlikely to reward anything less than his absolute best.

3 articles · Updated · PGA TOUR · Jun 16

Rounds 1 and 2 tee times for the 126th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills are out, with marquee groups spread across early-late and late-early waves on Thursday and Friday.
7:52 a.m. Thursday features Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Åberg and Tommy Fleetwood, while 8:14 a.m. pairs Scottie Scheffler with U.S. Amateur champion Mason Howell and defending U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun.
1:25 p.m. sends out Bryson DeChambeau, Viktor Hovland and Matt Fitzpatrick; 1:47 p.m. follows with Justin Thomas, Hideki Matsuyama and Xander Schauffele; 2:09 p.m. has Justin Rose, Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm.
7:30 a.m. includes defending champion Brooks Koepka alongside Cameron Young and Chris Gotterup, as Shinnecock's setup is expected to reward power, wind control and recovery from thick rough.
Long Island hosts one of golf's toughest major tests again, with the opening draw shaping early attention around featured groups before the championship begins.