Chris Gotterup Is Staring Down Shinnecock Hills, And Nobody's Ready For It

Yo, hold up, golf fans! You seeing what I'm seeing? Two of the last four major winners came out of nowhere, completely off the pre-tournament radar! Think about it: J.J. Spaun's U.S. Open victory last year at Oakmont? That was a STUNNING performance, even if he did battle Rory McIlroy to a runner-up spot earlier that year. And then Aaron Rai just ran away from Jon Rahm and the rest of the field at the PGA Championship last month? Wild stuff! As we gear up for the 2026 U.S. Open at the iconic Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, these results are screaming that anyone, ANYONE, can beat the best on the toughest courses.

The Rise of the Unexpected Champions

These guys, Spaun and Rai, showed us that the depth of the game is absolutely insane right now. Nobody's safe from a player who finds their absolute best for four days! But picking a sleeper isn't just throwing darts, right? Shinnecock Hills is gonna be brutal. We're talking proper links golf, a real test. The three attributes that'll separate the contenders from everyone else? Ball control in the wind, the ability to grind through impossible conditions, and clutch putting. You gotta have some combination of all three to even sniff a chance. We could totally see Scottie Scheffler get his career grand slam or Jon Rahm return to glory, but don't count out the underdogs.

Gotterup is Dialed In, MacIntyre Loves Links

Alright, let's talk names for Shinnecock Hills. First up, Chris Gotterup, sitting at 45-1 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. This dude *thrives* in proper links golf. We saw it last year with his win at the Scottish Open and when he contended for his first major at the Open Championship. Gotterup got off to a flying start early in 2026 with two wins! He cooled off a bit in the spring, sure, but that T10 at the PGA Championship? That was a massive sign he's regaining that great form. He's one of the best wind players in the world right now, seriously, his ability to flight the ball and shape shots is elite. Plus, there's no question he can grind through tough conditions, and he's been positive on the green this season, ranking 37th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained putting. This guy can play. Then there's Robert MacIntyre at 68-1. Yeah, his 2026 hasn't been the best start, but remember he was the U.S. Open runner-up just last year! He loves links golf, and Shinnecock Hills might just make Bobby Mac feel right at home. So, is this week Scottie Scheffler's big moment? Or Jon Rahm's comeback? Maybe. But don't sleep on these guys. The 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills is about to go down. Keep your eyes peeled, because history tells us a shocker is always on the menu. Let's GO!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.