2026 US Open picks: Betting guide, best bets, predictions for Shinnecock Hills
The biggest stars at the 2026 U.S.Open may be Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Jon Rahm, but the most important character is Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island’s South Fork.There are no shortcuts to be had at this links-style course.
It demands precision, patience, and a strategic game plan.Every wayward shot will be punished, and those who can get themselves out of trouble with craft and touch will have a leg up over those who just try to push their way through.The last time the U.S.
Open championship was held at Shinnecock, it produced one of the most aesthetically pleasing leaderboards ever.Brooks Koepka won at 1-over par, Tommy Fleetwood finished second at 2-over, Dustin Johnson was third at 3-over, Patrick Reed was fourth at 4-over, and Tony Finau was fifth at — you guessed it — 5-over.Don’t expect to see many red numbers out East.
Let’s get to the picks for the Major No.3 of 2026:It was almost a decade ago, but Fleetwood’s 63 to finish runner-up at Shinnecock in 2018 should give him confidence that this course is in his wheelhouse.And it’s not just his previous performance here that makes him good value at 23/1.
He’s also having a terrific season with three top-5s and six top-10s in 12 starts on the PGA Tour.Two of Fleetwood’s top-5 finishes have come in his last four outings.So long as he isn’t distracted by the World Cup, Fleetwood (a massive Everton fan) should be in the running at Shinnecock.Like his countryman, Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton has a skillset that should jive with Shinnecock.
He’s a grinder more than a puncher, and he seems to raise his level to meet the moment at majors.Although he missed the cut at this year’s PGA Championship, that was one of just two MCs for the Wycombe native at a major since the 2022 Masters, a span of 18 tournaments.
Hatton finished T4 at the 2025 U.S.Open, T3 at this year’s Masters, and was T6 at Shinnecock in 2018.A lot to like at this price.You may be noticing a theme here.
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