Shinnecock Hills prepares for 2026 U.S. Open Championship tee times

By Kwame Ofori — 16 June 2026 — 4 min read

The 126th U.S. Open Championship at Shinnecock Hills has released the tee times for its first two rounds. The tournament will feature some of the world’s top golfers, with several notable groupings set to compete on Long Island.

Among the early pairings, Brooks Koepka, Cameron Young, and Chris Gotterup are scheduled to begin their rounds at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday and 1:25 p.m. on Friday. This group is noted for its power and ability to handle challenging conditions, including wind and thick rough. Koepka is the defending champion, while Young has experience playing in the region. Gotterup’s recent performances, including a win at the Genesis Scottish Open, suggest he is well-equipped for the course.

An all-European trio comprising Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Åberg, and Tommy Fleetwood will tee off at 7:52 a.m. on Thursday and 1:47 p.m. on Friday. McIlroy, a six-time major winner, will be looking to secure his second U.S. Open title. Fleetwood previously made a strong charge at Shinnecock with a final round 63, while Åberg, who was 18 during the last U.S. Open at this venue, is expected to perform well.

The reigning U.S. Open champion, J.J. Spaun, will play alongside Scottie Scheffler and amateur Mason Howell. Their tee times are set for 8:14 a.m. on Thursday and 2:09 p.m. on Friday. Scheffler aims to become the seventh golfer to achieve the career Grand Slam, while Spaun is defending his major title. Howell earned his exemption into this major through his U.S. Amateur victory.

Featured Groupings and Tee Times

Another prominent group includes Bryson DeChambeau, Viktor Hovland, and Matt Fitzpatrick, scheduled for 1:25 p.m. on Thursday and 7:30 a.m. on Friday. DeChambeau and Hovland are known for their volatile yet competitive play, while Fitzpatrick is described as a consistent performer who is having a strong season with three wins already.

A trio of major champions, Justin Thomas, Hideki Matsuyama, and Xander Schauffele, will start their rounds at 1:47 p.m. on Thursday and 7:52 a.m. on Friday. All three are seeking their first U.S. Open title. Thomas, a two-time PGA Championship winner, has shown improved form after returning from injury. Matsuyama, a Masters champion, has made cuts consistently this year, and Schauffele, who has won the PGA and The Open, has a strong record at the U.S. Open, finishing no worse than 14th in eight appearances.

The group of Justin Rose, Jordan Spieth, and Jon Rahm will tee off at 2:09 p.m. on Thursday and 8:14 a.m. on Friday. This pairing highlights contrasting styles, with Rose known for his methodical approach, Spieth for his aggressive play, and Rahm for his powerful game. This group is anticipated to be particularly engaging to watch, especially on Thursday when winds are expected and they begin on the back nine.

Other notable players include Aaron Rai, who won the US PGA Championship last month, teeing off at 1:14 p.m. on Thursday with Collin Morikawa and Jason Day. Robert MacIntyre from Scotland is also in the later wave, with a tee time of 1:58 p.m. on Thursday.

Additional First and Second Round Pairings

The full schedule for the first two rounds includes numerous other golfers. In the early Thursday, late Friday wave, players such as James Nicholas, Taylor Montgomery, and Caleb Surratt are set to start at 6:35 a.m. on Thursday and 12:30 p.m. on Friday. Another group at the same time includes Chandler Phillips, Harry Higgs, and amateur Hamilton Coleman.

Further pairings for this wave include Ethan Fang (a), Jayden Schaper, and Jackson Suber at 6:46 a.m. on Thursday and 12:41 p.m. on Friday. Nathan Kimsey, Jackson Herrington (a), and Cooper Dossey will also play at this time. Other groups feature Chase Kyes (a), Matthew Jordan, and Alejandro Tosti, as well as Peter Uihlein, Eric Lee (a), and Samuel Stevens, both starting at 6:57 a.m. on Thursday and 12:52 p.m. on Friday.

The late Thursday, early Friday wave includes William Mouw, Ryder Cowan (a), and Hennie Du Plessis at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday and 6:35 a.m. on Friday. Niklas Norgaard, Rocco Paolo Repetto Taylor, and Sudarshan Yellamaraju are also in this time slot. Other pairings feature Adrien Saddier, Jackson Van Paris, and Ugo Coussaud, along with Laurie Canter, John Parry, and Bryan Lee (a), both starting at 12:41 p.m. on Thursday and 6:46 a.m. on Friday.