Scottie Scheffler's U.S. Open Path Is Wide Open, But Nine Players Say NOPE

Alright, you guys, as your buddy from Seattle, I'm telling you this U.S. Open is already looking like it's gonna be a wild one! From the massive field of 156 players, the buzz is all about how there are ONLY nine guys who truly have a shot at hoisting that trophy for the third major of 2026. Yeah, you heard me right, just nine! Even with a world No. 1 lurking, history tells us this tournament loves a surprise, and honestly, who doesn't love a good underdog story?

The Favorites & The Underdogs

Let's talk about the big names first, because you know they're gonna be there, right? World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, dude is a four-time major champion, and he’s celebrating his 30th birthday on Sunday, which is also Father's Day and the final round. Talk about a triple threat! Despite some chatter about his "lack of wins" lately and some frustrations on the course, the guy is a machine. Over the last three months, he's top 10 in every single tee to green metric and top 20 in strokes gained putting AND driving accuracy. Seriously, the man has no weakness! He contends in every tournament, and his U.S. Open record is secretly awesome, with four top 10s in his last five starts. Odds are at 6-1 for a reason. Then you've got Rory McIlroy. You know Rory, always gunning for those resume-builder courses, and Shinnecock Hills is definitely one. He's evolved into a five-tool player, apparently loving those firm, fast U.S. Open conditions. His record has been solid since he missed the cut back in 2018. The only hic

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cup? His driver's been "a little wayward" this year, which could be a problem. But listen, the U.S. Open has a crazy way of crowning champions from the second or third page of contenders. Remember J.J. Spaun last season, shocking everyone with that birdie on the 72nd hole at Oakmont? Or Wyndham Clark two years ago, holding off fan favorites McIlroy and Rickie Fowler at Los Angeles Country Club? It's always full of surprises!

Don't Sleep On These Guys!

Beyond Scheffler and McIlroy, there are other heavy hitters you cannot ignore. We've got Schauffele, who has never, NOT ONCE, finished outside the top 15 in the U.S. Open. That's consistency, folks! And then there's Fitzpatrick, who actually has the most wins this season. These guys are the real deal, and they've shown they can compete. The U.S. Open tradition is that big names *should* be there at the end, but the surprises just keep coming, and they often blow expectations out of the water. This is the third major of 2026, and after Aaron Rai came out of nowhere from an alternate field event to win the PGA Championship, you just know anything can happen. We're talking about a field of 156 players, and they've narrowed it down to just these nine guys. It’s gonna be epic, and the tension is gonna be through the roof come Sunday! So, who's gonna be the last man standing on Sunday at Shinnecock Hills? Will Scheffler cement his legacy on his birthday, or will one of the other eight step up and shock the world again? Get ready, because this is going to be a battle, and you know we'll be glued to every single shot. Bring on the drama!

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