The 2026 US Open Is Coming to Shinnecock Hills — Here's Why It's the Most Exciting Major of the Year
The 2026 US Open at Shinnecock Hills is almost here, and if you're a golf fan, you've already marked June 18–21 on your calendar. The 126th edition of America's most brutal major is returning to Southampton, New York — and after eight years away, the golf world cannot wait to see what Shinnecock has in store for the field.
Why Shinnecock Hills Is Unlike Any Course on the Planet
Perched on the eastern end of Long Island, Shinnecock Hills plays like a links course dropped into the American countryside. Designed by William Flynn in the early 1930s and lovingly restored by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, it's a par 70 that stretches to 7,434 yards of fescue rough, firm fairways, and wind that comes from every direction at once. The USGA loves setting it up with near-impossible conditions — and Shinnecock always plays along. If there's a breeze off the Atlantic during tournament week, scores could get very ugly, very fast.
The history here is rich. Ray Floyd claimed the title in 1986, Corey Pavin bested the field in 1995, and Brooks Koepka — in classic Koepka fashion — went wire-to-wire in 2018. This year, whoever holds the Shinnecock trophy on Sunday will have truly earned it.
The Storylines Heading Into the Week
There is no shortage of compelling narratives coming into this US Open. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is chasing the career Grand Slam — and Sunday's final round happens to fall on his 30th birthday. A major title on your birthday? That would be the stuff of legend. Rory McIlroy, riding a huge wave of momentum after winning the Masters earlier this year, arrives as one of the co-favorites, though his history at Shinnecock is humbling at best — he shot an 80 in the first round in 2018 and missed the cut. Redemption arcs don't come much better than that.
Then there's Cameron Young, a Long Island native who has already won twice in 2026 and is quietly playing the best golf in the field right now. Playing a major in your home state, with the crowd behind you? The vibes for Young are immaculate.
How to Watch — and Look Great Doing It
Whether you're making the trip out to Southampton or watching from the comfort of your favorite golf hangout, the US Open calls for the right gear. If you're out on the course this summer — inspired by a week of elite-level ball-striking — our The Links Polo was made for exactly that kind of energy: clean, breathable, and built to perform when the conditions get tough. Pair it with the Low Tide Visor and you're ready for anything Shinnecock-level wind can throw at you.
The US Open is the one major where grit matters more than everything else. It's where games get exposed and legends get made. We'll be watching every shot — and we'd love to watch with you. Drop your US Open predictions in the comments and let us know who you've got hoisting the trophy on Sunday.
Photo by De Lemster Krant via Pexels