The third major of 2025 is as highly anticipated as any other with the famed iconic Shinnecock Hills hosting this year’s US Open. Shinnecock Hills opened in 1891 and is one of the sternest tests in golf, an incredibly difficult course that saw Brooks Koepka win with one over par when this venue last hosted the US Open in 2018. Shinnecock Hills is the only course to host the US Open in the three centuries it has existed with James Foulis winning the inaugural edition followed by Raymond Flloyd 90 years later, Corey Pavin, Retief Goosen and Brooks Koepka. World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, Masters champion Rory McIlroy and LIV star Jon Rahm dominate betting.
Key Stats/Skill Set Required
- GIR
- Strokes Gained: Tee To Green
- Total Driving
- Driving Distance
- Strokes Gained: Off The Tee
- Three-Putt Avoidance
- Bogey Avoidance
- All-Around
Shinnecock Hills is one of the jewels in the crown of US Open courses, an incredibly difficult test that opened in 1891 and has hosted US Opens across all three centuries. While length is not a prerequisite here, it does help and the wider-than-normal US Open fairways will favour bombers. The course got away from them the last time the US Open was played here but regardless this will be a difficult test where avoiding bogeys is key. As with every US Open, finding greens really is essential.
Key Correlation Courses/Tournaments
- Oakmont
- Pinehurst Resort No.2
- The Country Club, Brookline
2026 US Open Predictions
Matt Fitzpatrick has won a US Open in the Northeast and can make it two as one of the best suited players to Shinnecock Hills and playing in the form of his life. Fitzpatrick ranks 2nd in Strokes Gained: Tee To Green, 3rd in Bogey Avoidance, 4th in GIR, 9th in Total Driving and 15th in All-Around. That is the profile of a player who can win. He has won three times in his last eight starts with a runner-up at the Canadian Open last weekend. He has a bulletproof game and with four US Open Top 20s he loves this tournament. Should be third favourite.
Xander Schauffele
There is no player in the field who has performed more consistently at an elite level than Xander Schauffele. He has had nine starts and his worst finish has been 14th with seven Top 10s. He ranks Top 15 in Strokes Gained: Tee To Green and Strokes Gained: Off The Tee. He ranks Top 32 in the Data Golf rankings, has a US Open Top 10, has a Top 10 in a major this year and a Top 12 in his last two starts – ticks a lot of boxes.
Patrick Cantlay
Veteran Patrick Cantlay has not enjoyed the most productive of seasons but looks to have a game that will suit here and he typically plays very well in the US Open. He is on a run of four straight Top 15 finishes in the US Open and his recent form has been on an uptick with five Top 17 finishes in his last six starts. He ranks 9th in Bogey Avoidance, 10th in Strokes Gained: Tee To Green and 14th in All-Around. He has the class and has the pedigree.
Min Woo Lee
Length off the tee is going to be so critical in this edition of the US Open, as it typically is, and that suits Min Woo Lee to a tee. He ranks Top 12 in the key driving metrics here: Strokes Gained: Tee To Green, Total Driving, Strokes Gained: Off The Tee and Driving Distance. He also ranks 6th in All-Round. Fits the profile with a Top 10 and the right number of starts in this event. Big player this week.
Michael Brennan[Text Wrapping Break]There is no better triple figure shot on the board than 24yo Michael Brennan. He won the Bank Of Utah Championship last season and comes in playing well with a T-6 in the Charles Schwab Challenge. He finished T-24 in The Masters so can handle the big stage. Ranks 2nd in Strokes Gained: Off The Tee, 2nd in Driving Distance and 3rd in Strokes Gained: Tee To Green. Brilliant Bet to make the cut and finish Top 40.
Few players start majors as well as Justin Rose. He is a regular at the top of the leaderboard in majors. He is always worth a ticket in opening rounds.