GOLF.com: 2026 U.S. Open Round 1 Halted by Fog as McIlroy Targets Second Major of Year at Shinnecock

Fog Halts Opening Play at Shinnecock

The first round of the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club was suspended at 7:05 a.m. ET due to heavy fog, with players instructed to hold in place for approximately 15 minutes before play resumed.

McIlroy Chasing Rare Double

The tournament's marquee storyline centers on Rory McIlroy, who arrives at Shinnecock on the heels of his 2026 Masters victory — his second consecutive win at Augusta National. A win here would make him just the second player in the modern era to capture two majors in a single season, a feat McIlroy himself last achieved in 2014. He teed off alongside European Ryder Cup teammates Ludvig Åberg and Tommy Fleetwood at 7:52 a.m. ET from the 10th hole.

Japanese Players in the Field

Four Japanese players are competing: Kaito Onishi (8:47 a.m., Hole 10), Ryo Hisatsune (1:25 p.m.), Hideki Matsuyama (1:47 p.m.), and Ryuichi Oiwa (8:36 a.m., Hole 10).

Strokeslab Perspective

Shinnecock Hills' firm, fast fairways and wind-exposed greens historically reward precision iron play — making SG: Approach the critical metric to track this week. McIlroy's ability to control trajectory in difficult conditions will be a key differentiator.