US Open 2026: Why Shinnecock Hills can’t offer the same test as in the past

In 2022, Matt Fitzpatrick – the last British winner – won at six under, the same mark as Jon Rahm the previous year. Wyndham Clark is 10 under at LACC in 2023 and Bryson DeChambeau is six under at Pinehurst No2.

Last year, at a rain-soaked Oakmont, there was a number down that allowed JJ Spahn to beat Bob McIntyre by two for his first major crown.

Conditions seem to have the biggest impact on how many shots it takes to become a champion these days. “Mother Nature always has a seat at the table and at Shinneke, probably more than anywhere else,” Bodenhamer told Golf Digest.

“If we get wind, the course will resist scoring. If we don’t, it won’t—and we’re OK with that.

“It’s part of the evolution of our thinking, being willing to let conditions play a role rather than trying to control every outcome.”

A dry weekend in the forecast calls for some rain, which could help the USGA avoid further criticism at the Shinnecock US Open.

It will be a strong test for the world’s best. Will Scheffler, the top player on the planet, pick up the major he needs for a career grand slam?

Can Fitzpatrick go one better than last week’s runner-up finish in Canada and collect a second US Open? Is Masters champion McIlroy poised to win his second major of the year?

Or is it time for LIV’s Tyrell Hatton to join the major winner’s club? The Englishman competes after winning the mighty Valderrama, the famous Spanish course that offers a similar test of toughness that we expect Shinnecock to do this week.

Whoever wins has to control the ball better than anyone else. Take advantage of the wide fairways and deal with challenging run off areas, devilish pin locations and dry greens that can still get harder by the hour.

And that’s how it should be at the US Open.