June 17, 2026, 1:30 p.m. ET
The 2026 U.S. Open tees off on Thursday from Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, and the Golfweek team has locked in our best sleeper picks to win this weekend. Here’s who could surprise this weekend.
Follow along with all the action this week with Golfweek and USA TODAY Sports for a live leaderboard, golfer rankings and money list.
U.S. Open 2026 long shot pick to winCameron Jourdan: Alex Fitzpatrick (+10000)
Fitzpatrick has played spectacularly since earning his PGA Tour card. The U.S. Open is a different type of beast, but this feels like itll go the way of someone on a roll.
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Jason Lusk: Alex Fitzpatrick (+10000)
First, how cool would it be for the brother of 2022 champion Matt Fitzpatrick to add another U.S. Open trophy to the family trophy case? Second, PGA Tour rookie Alex has been on a heater of late, with top-20 showings in four of his past five events.
Nicholas Stavas: Jake Knapp (+10000)
Jake Knapp has been battling injury for the last few months and hasn’t played a PGA Tour event since April. But when he has played, he’s been really dang good, having finished 11th or better in 7 of 9 starts this year. He’s top 25 in Strokes Gained scrambling and on approach, so his game fits Shinnecock well, too. Love him at this price.
David Dusek: Jake Knapp (+10000)
Knapp quietly blends the two most-important things that lead to success in a U.S. Open, great ballstriking and elite putting. He currently ranks No. 22 in Strokes Gained: Approach the Green and No. 2 in Strokes Gained: Putting. That’s how you get Capone.
Adam Schupak: Harris English (+8000)
English plays his best when pars are hard to come by and has a solid championship record. No one ever talks about him but he’s a multi-Ryder Cup player and has the game to be dangerous. Need another sleeper? Daniel Berger is of the same mold and contended at Shinnecock last time.
Todd Kelly: Ryan Fox (+12500)
We’ve had two Europeans win the first two majors (Rory McIlroy, Masters; Aaron Rai, PGA) and the U.S. Open trophy will go to an international player (Ryan Fox of New Zealand), pushing the quirky non-American major winner streak to three in 2026.
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