The 2026 U.S. Open heads back to Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., for the first time since 2018. Brooks Koepka secured his second straight U.S. Open title that year, holding off a charge from Tommy Fleetwood on Sunday. The New York area is absolutely buzzing with the World Cup being hosted there and the Knicks capturing their first NBA title in 53 years. Add this to the list.Scottie Scheffler will try to become the seventh male golfer to complete the career grand slam and is the clear favorite at +500 odds. Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, Cameron Young, Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm and defending U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun are some of his notable competitors. While Scheffler and McIlroy are the biggest stars in golf, Shinnecock Hills will most likely be the star of the week. The property on Long Island is as beautiful as it is daunting. Situated on more than 300 acres of some of the most expensive real estate on the Eastern Seaboard, it has stood the test of time. The fairways are larger than most U.S. Open venues, but the wind is unrelenting, with few trees in sight. It features more than eight acres of bunkers and more than 100 acres of native rough that can swallow a ball. The greens average over 7,400 square feet but play much smaller, with runoffs on every side that can create near-impossible scrambling opportunities. Why this U.S. Open course is diabolicalGabby Herzig, Lia Griffin and moreThe last four U.S. Open winners at Shinnecock combined to shoot four under par (Koepka’s winning score in 2018 was one over). My model this week will concentrate on weighted strokes gained on approach, weighted strokes gained off the tee, weighted strokes gained around the green, bogey avoidance and strokes gained in U.S. Opens. Driving distance isn’t a key factor for me this week, with precision needed on approach shots while avoiding disaster around the greens. Shorter hitters who can strike the ball from the fairway with their longer irons, hybrids and seven woods with accuracy have a chance to win this week. Corey Pavin won here while the likes of Fred Funk, Jeff Maggert, Chris DiMarco and Tim Clark have all been in contention. Course informationCourse: Shinnecock Hills Golf ClubLocation: Southampton, N.Y.Designer: William FlynnPar: 70Length: 7,440 yardsAverage green size: 7,400 square feetPast champions (at various courses)