Welcome to Episode 8 of GolfLoopz – the Golf Podcast for Kids.

I

n this episode, we preview the 2026 U.S. Open at the historic and fearsome Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York.

We look at what makes the U.S. Open different from every other golf tournament, explore the history and unusual name of Shinnecock Hills, and examine why its hard greens, coastal wind and sloping fairways create such a difficult challenge.

We also run through the leading contenders, including Scottie Scheffler’s attempt to complete the career Grand Slam, Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele — plus GolfLoopz favourites Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland and Patrick Reed.

Key topics:

• The history of the U.S. Open and why it is genuinely an “Open”
• How players qualify through local and final qualifying
• Shinnecock Hills and the meaning behind its name
• Why Shinnecock is one of the toughest courses in championship golf
• Brooks Koepka’s victory at Shinnecock in 2018
• Scottie Scheffler’s bid to complete the career Grand Slam
• The chances of Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau and the other favourites
• Wild-card picks Tommy Fleetwood, Patrick Reed and Viktor Hovland

Resources & Links:

Official 2026 U.S. Open website:
https://www.usopen.com/

Shinnecock Hills course guide and history:
https://www.usopen.com/2026/about-shinnecock-hills-golf-club.html

Video flyovers of all 18 holes at Shinnecock Hills:
https://www.usopen.com/2026/videos/features/02/18/2026-u-s--open-course-tour--flyovers-of-every-hole-6389523936112.html

2026 U.S. Open tee times:
https://www.usopen.com/2026/tee-times.html

U.S. Open qualifying information and results:
https://www.usopen.com/2026/qualifying.html

Learn more about the Shinnecock Nation:
https://www.shinnecock-nsn.gov/

The story of Brooks Koepka’s 2018 U.S. Open victory at Shinnecock:
https://victory.usopen.com/watch/features/2021/05/17/champion-s-journey--brooks-koepka-2018-u-s--open-6254695108001.html
Phil Mickelson's meltdown on the greens in 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW084qWwhV4

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