The 2026 U.S. Open begins Thursday at 6:35 a.m. ET at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., featuring a field headlined by Scottie Scheffler, who enters as the +550 betting favorite via FanDuel Sportsbook. According to SportsLine, the tournament features a wide range of contenders, including Rory McIlroy at +1200 and defending champion J.J. Spaun, as bettors look to predictive modeling to navigate the challenging layout at Shinnecock.
Who are the betting favorites for the 2026 U.S. Open?
Scottie Scheffler leads the field in odds at +550 as he chases a career Grand Slam, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Following Scheffler, Rory McIlroy is listed at +1200 to secure his first U.S. Open title in 15 years. Jon Rahm, the 2021 U.S. Open winner, sits at +1500, while Xander Schauffele (+1600), Tommy Fleetwood (+1800), and Matt Fitzpatrick (+2000) round out the top tier of the betting board.
Why is the SportsLine model fading Jon Rahm?
Despite his status as the third favorite, the SportsLine proprietary model predicts Jon Rahm will finish outside the top five, according to data provided by the outlet. While Rahm finished T-2 at the PGA Championship last month, the model notes he has not recorded a top-five finish at the U.S. Open since 2021. SportsLine suggests that his recent major championship performance at the PGA Championship is an outlier compared to his broader struggles at the U.S. Open, making him a candidate to fade for bettors seeking value.
Which longshots are gaining traction at Shinnecock Hills?
Cameron Young is emerging as a top-five contender on the projected leaderboard with +2200 odds, according to SportsLine. Despite never winning a major, Young has secured two victories and six top-10 finishes this year, including a T-3 performance at the Masters. The model highlights his strong driving metrics as a key reason for his potential success on the Shinnecock layout. Additionally, the model has identified a “shocking” longshot priced at 45-1 who is projected to mount a serious challenge for the title.
Did you know?
Brooks Koepka, who won the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills with a score of 1 over, is currently listed at +4500 to win this year’s event, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When does the 2026 U.S. Open start? The tournament officially tees off Thursday at 6:35 a.m. ET.
- Where is the 2026 U.S. Open being played? The event is hosted at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y.
- Who is the defending champion? J.J. Spaun enters the field as the defending champion of the U.S. Open.
- How do betting models work for golf? Models, such as the one developed by DFS pro Mike McClure, simulate tournament outcomes 10,000 times based on player metrics and historical course data to identify value.
Ready to place your bets? Explore the latest odds and betting trends at your preferred sportsbook and stay updated on the latest tournament developments. Join the conversation in the comments below—who is your pick to win this year?
