Key Contenders in the Quest for U.S. Open Glory

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Brooks Koepka, Tommy Fleetwood, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Cam Young, and Justin Rose are among the leading contenders set to compete at this year’s U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. Their mix of past major victories, recent form, and course familiarity sets the stage for a highly competitive tournament with multiple players poised to challenge for the title.

As anticipation builds for this year’s U.S. Open, several prominent contenders emerge, each bringing unique credentials and recent form to the highly competitive field.

Brooks Koepka, who is in the process of returning to the PGA Tour after his stint with LIV Golf, remains a significant presence in major championships. Koepka is notably comfortable at Shinnecock Hills, the site of the upcoming tournament, where he claimed his second consecutive U.S. Open title in 2018. His familiarity with the challenging layout positions him as a formidable threat.

Tommy Fleetwood, the Englishman who nearly clinched the 2018 U.S. Open by carding a final-round 63 to finish just one stroke behind Koepka, has been consistently competitive throughout this season. Despite capturing only one PGA Tour victory—the 2025 Tour Championship—Fleetwood has registered six top-10 finishes this year, including three in the top five, two of which occurred in the last two months, signaling strong current form.

Bryson DeChambeau, a two-time U.S. Open champion with wins in 2020 at Winged Foot and 2024 at Pinehurst, has experienced mixed results this season. Although competing on the LIV Golf circuit and expressing confidence in his game, he missed the cut at both the Masters and the PGA Championship, raising questions about his major championship readiness.

Jon Rahm stands out among the LIV Golf players in the field with a compelling profile. The Spaniard, currently competing well within LIV, has a strong U.S. Open record: winning in 2021, and finishing tied for third in 2019, tied for tenth in 2023, and tied for seventh last year. Rahm also recently finished second to Aaron Rai at the PGA Championship, underscoring his ability to contend on golf’s biggest stages.

Cam Young, hailing from Westchester County, has enjoyed a breakout year with victories at the Players Championship and the Cadillac Championship at Doral. Known for his length off the tee and improved putting, Young has excelled on courses in the Northeast and demonstrated his capabilities in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black last fall, making him a strong contender on Shinnecock’s demanding terrain.

At 45, Justin Rose continues to defy age with competitive performances. The Englishman, who won the U.S. Open in 2013 at Merion, has claimed one victory this season at Torrey Pines and posted top finishes in recent majors, including tied for third at the Masters, tied for tenth at the PGA Championship, and tied for 12th at the Memorial Tournament. Rose’s consistent presence near the top of leaderboards in major events marks him as a player to watch.

With such a diverse and skilled group of contenders, the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills promises high-caliber competition, blending experienced champions with rapidly emerging talent.