Rory McIlroy U.S. Open strategy at Shinnecock
Rory McIlroy explains why patience, discipline and smart targets are critical at Shinnecock Hills.
USGA
The 2026 U.S. Open has been stopped almost as soon as it started.
Round 1 of the 126th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York was suspended due to fog at 7:05 a.m. ET, about 30 minutes after the first group of the tournament teed off. The conditions created visuals in which neither the extended fairway nor the flag sticks could be seen from the tee box.
There were 12 golfers on the course and players were told to hold in place, according to the official announcement. Those that were already on a green were permitted to finish out their hole. Nobody had carded a birdie yet.
Golfers that have yet to tee off were still allowed to use the practice facilities at Shinnecock Hills, according to the USA Network broadcast. The delay is expected to last more than 30 minutes.
The weather at the Southampton, New York course will play a big factor in Thursday’s opening round at the third major of the 2026 golf season. Rain and high winds, with gusts of up to 40 mph, were also in the forecast as the day progresses.
Accuweather’s forecast for Thursday’s first round calls for a better than 50% chance of rain, in addition to wind gusts that will create “exceptionally challenging golf conditions.”
U.S. Open weather forecast
Here’s the weather outlook for the 2026 U.S. Open, according to Accuweather’s 10-day forecast as of 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 17:
Thursday, June 18 (Round 1)
- Windy conditions with winds from the south of more than 20 mph and gusts of more than 40 mph. There’s a 55% chance of precipitation, a 33% chance of thunderstorms and a high of 72.
Friday, June 19 (Round 2)
- Cloudy in the morning giving way to sun in the afternoon with a high of 77. But there are still southwest winds of 20 mph expected, with gusts up to 35 mph. There is just a 7% chance of precipitation.
Saturday, June 20 (Round 3)
- Sunny conditions with a high of 77 and just a 7% chance of precipitation. But northwest winds of 20 mph are expected with gusts up to nearly 40 mph.
Sunday June 21 (Final round)
- Partly cloudy conditions, with moments of sunshine and cloud cover and a high of 76. There will be a steady breeze in the afternoon, with 10 mph winds from the west and gusts up to 25 mph.
