Overview
- The 126th U.S. Open began at Shinnecock Hills with a 156-player field and a cut after the second round that will reduce the weekend field to roughly the top 60.
- Scottie Scheffler has publicly downplayed pressure as he pursues a rare career Grand Slam and will turn 30 on the final Sunday, a notable coincidence if he wins.
- Wyndham Clark opened strongly and held the first-round lead while Scheffler sits over par after the opening day, leaving him ground to make up before the cut.
- Matti Schmid is the only German in the field and produced a difficult first round of 77 that leaves him fighting to reach the weekend.
- Shinnecock Hills is a historically significant, about 6,800‑metre links-style course with heavy rough and very fast greens that favor accurate tee shots and penalize short-game mistakes, and the deep field includes past major winners such as Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and defending champion J.J. Spaun.