The first round of the 2026 US Open Championship gets underway Thursday at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. Scottie Scheffler steps to the tee chasing the one major that still eludes him — the career Grand Slam. A stiff breeze already promises to turn club selection into a daily chess match. Fans in India tuning in around 4:00 PM IST will watch the world’s best players fight for every inch on one of golf’s toughest stages.
Date, Time & Venue
Thursday, June 18, 2026 Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, New York Par 70 | 7,445 yards
Early groups begin at approximately 6:30 AM ET / 4:00 PM IST. The afternoon wave faces the strongest gusts. Morning starters hold a clear scoring advantage before winds build.
Live Streaming & Telecast
United States
- USA Network: 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM ET (Round 1)
- Peacock: Featured groups and extended coverage
- Golf Channel / NBC: Evening “Live From” studio show
International Check the official USGA International Broadcast Guide for your country. Many regions stream via official apps or local sports partners. Featured groups stream free on usopen.com and the USGA app in most markets.
Pitch Report & Weather
Shinnecock Hills rewards precision and punishes mistakes. Firm, fast greens sit at mid-10s on the Stimpmeter. Thick native fescue rough and deep, rocky bunkers swallow anything offline.
Thursday brings the week’s toughest conditions. Sustained winds of 15-20 mph with gusts over 30 mph. Direction shifts south to southwest. Early groups play in lighter breezes. Afternoon players battle swirling gusts that turn the exposed 11th into a survival test. Highs reach the low 80s with a chance of showers or storms later in the day. USGA crews mist greens lightly to maintain speed and firmness.
Wind Impact Table
| Time of Day (ET) | Wind Speed | Gusts | Scoring Impact | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Morning | 10-15 mph | 20 mph | Moderate | Morning wave |
| Midday | 15-20 mph | 25-30 mph | High | Ball-strikers |
| Afternoon | 18-22 mph | 30+ mph | Very High | Experience in wind |
Scottie Scheffler brings the best iron play in the game. He needs to keep the ball in the fairway off the tee — something that has eluded him at times this season.
Rory McIlroy arrives fresh off a Masters win. His power plays on firm turf, but recent driving accuracy must improve.
Matt Fitzpatrick won a U.S. Open on a brutally firm, windy layout at Brookline. He openly enjoys the homework these courses demand. His ball-striking and short game fit Shinnecock perfectly.
Cameron Young and Tyrrell Hatton also profile as strong fits. Both thrive when the course fights back.
Bryson DeChambeau brings distance and creativity. He could make noise if he finds fairways.
Featured Groups (Key Times)
Several star groups tee off early and late. Scheffler plays alongside defending champion J.J. Spaun. McIlroy shares a group with Ludvig Åberg. DeChambeau lines up with Viktor Hovland. These groupings promise must-watch action for featured group streams.
Head-to-Head Records & Historical Context
Shinnecock Hills has hosted the U.S. Open six times. The 2018 edition saw Brooks Koepka win at +1. Only three players finished under par across the previous four Opens here. Scoring stays tight. Even par or one-over often wins. Scheffler would join an elite list if he claims the title and completes the career Grand Slam.
Match Prediction
Round 1 outlook: A morning player or someone who handles wind well likely sits atop the leaderboard. Expect the leader to sit at even par or one-under. Anything better stands out.
Tournament prediction: Scheffler remains the favorite to win the week. Fitzpatrick offers strong live value on a course that rewards his exact style. McIlroy and Schauffele lurk as dangerous chasers.
Fantasy Team Tips
Captain / High-Owned Picks: Matt Fitzpatrick, Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy Value Plays: Tyrrell Hatton, Cameron Young, players with strong approach and around-the-green numbers Strategy: Load up on morning tee times in cash games. In grand leagues, differentiate with Fitzpatrick or Hatton as captain while keeping Scheffler in the mix. Small leagues can chase contrarian morning-wave players who post low scores before the wind peaks.
Injury Updates & Team News
No major injury concerns headline the field. Scheffler enters healthy and motivated. McIlroy looks sharp after Augusta. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson sit this one out, shifting focus to the current generation chasing history.
Records & Milestones
- Scottie Scheffler: One major away from the career Grand Slam
- J.J. Spaun: Defending champion looking to repeat
- Historical note: Very few players have finished under par at Shinnecock in U.S. Open history
Press Conference & Player Quotes
Matt Fitzpatrick spoke this week about enjoying the mental challenge these setups create. He said the course forces you to do your homework and hit good shots — exactly what a major should demand. Scheffler stayed measured in practice, focusing on process rather than the Slam narrative. McIlroy emphasized staying patient and letting the course come to him.
The wind already dictates the story. Players who adapt fastest and keep the ball in play will separate themselves. Scheffler carries the biggest storyline, but Shinnecock Hills has a way of crowning the player who simply handles its unique test better than anyone else.
