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Canadian Golfers Prepare for U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills
The 2026 U.S. Open will open on June 18 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, and four Canadian players will tee off on the historic links course. 24‑year‑old Sudarshan Yellamaraju, a rookie on the PGA Tour, is the top Canadian in the FedExCup standings and will play the 10th tee at 12:30 p.m. Other Canadians include Nick Taylor (8:03 a.m.), Corey Conners (1:25 p.m.) and Ben Silverman (7:08 a.m.).
Yellamaraju missed the cut at last month’s PGA Championship but entered the U.S. Open after finishing tied for eighth at the RBC Canadian Open. He won the Rivermead Cup as the low Canadian and recorded his third top‑10 finish of the season, his seventh top‑20. The left‑handed player, born in India and raised in Canada, said he is still learning how to compete at the highest level: “I just kind of focus on what I’m doing and there are some times that I kind of reflect and you do realize that I’m out here, but I know I still have a job to do and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Yellamaraju’s season has been a mix of steady improvement and new challenges. He has earned spots in four Signature Events this year and is the only Canadian to rank in the top 20 of the FedExCup standings. His performance at the Canadian Open, where he was the low Canadian, shows he can handle pressure on a tough course.
Corey Conners, who withdrew from last year’s U.S. Open after a wrist injury, is looking to rebound. Conners said he has been inconsistent this season, with a 114th place in strokes‑gained and no top‑10 finishes. He added that he hopes to play his “usual game” at Shinnecock Hills: “If I can hit it the way I know I can, I think it’s going to be a big asset this week and keep me in good spots.” Conners’ experience at major championships, including a near‑top‑10 finish in 2025 before his injury, gives him confidence.
Nick Taylor entered the U.S. Open with momentum from a 6‑under 64 at TPC Toronto, the best round of the week. He had been in the mix at last month’s PGA Championship, staying close to the lead before a bad drive pushed him down the leaderboard. Taylor said he has learned from those moments: “I feel like I’ve been gaining experience, playing better at majors, and it’s a nice thing to have in my back pocket.” He also noted the wind and lower green speeds that USGA has set for the opening round.
Ben Silverman earned his spot by winning a qualifier at his home club in Florida and will play his first major since 2022. Silverman’s recent form has been strong, and he is looking forward to the challenge of Shinnecock Hills.
Shinnecock Hills has hosted the U.S. Open five times before, in 1896, 1986, 1995, 2004 and 2018, and is scheduled to host its sixth edition in 2026. The course is known for its links‑style layout, long roughs and fast greens, making it one of the most demanding venues in major golf. The USGA has adjusted the green speeds for the opening round, lowering them by almost two points to increase difficulty.
The Canadian contingent is diverse in experience. Yellamaraju is a rookie on the PGA Tour, Taylor is a seasoned major competitor, Conners is a veteran who has dealt with injury setbacks, and Silverman is a rising talent. Their combined experience and recent performances suggest they will be among the players to watch.
The U.S. Open field will begin play with 156 golfers, including the four Canadians, and will run through Sunday. The tournament will test the players’ accuracy and resilience on a course that has produced only three winners under par in its history. As the event progresses, the focus will be on how the Canadian golfers adapt to the challenging conditions and whether Yellamaraju can build on his recent successes.
The U.S. Open will continue to be a showcase of the world’s best golfers, and the Canadian players’ performances will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike. The outcome of the tournament will determine the next generation of major champions and the future of Canadian golf on the world stage.
Yellamaraju missed the cut at last month’s PGA Championship but entered the U.S. Open after finishing tied for eighth at the RBC Canadian Open. He won the Rivermead Cup as the low Canadian and recorded his third top‑10 finish of the season, his seventh top‑20. The left‑handed player, born in India and raised in Canada, said he is still learning how to compete at the highest level: “I just kind of focus on what I’m doing and there are some times that I kind of reflect and you do realize that I’m out here, but I know I still have a job to do and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Yellamaraju’s season has been a mix of steady improvement and new challenges. He has earned spots in four Signature Events this year and is the only Canadian to rank in the top 20 of the FedExCup standings. His performance at the Canadian Open, where he was the low Canadian, shows he can handle pressure on a tough course.
Corey Conners, who withdrew from last year’s U.S. Open after a wrist injury, is looking to rebound. Conners said he has been inconsistent this season, with a 114th place in strokes‑gained and no top‑10 finishes. He added that he hopes to play his “usual game” at Shinnecock Hills: “If I can hit it the way I know I can, I think it’s going to be a big asset this week and keep me in good spots.” Conners’ experience at major championships, including a near‑top‑10 finish in 2025 before his injury, gives him confidence.
Nick Taylor entered the U.S. Open with momentum from a 6‑under 64 at TPC Toronto, the best round of the week. He had been in the mix at last month’s PGA Championship, staying close to the lead before a bad drive pushed him down the leaderboard. Taylor said he has learned from those moments: “I feel like I’ve been gaining experience, playing better at majors, and it’s a nice thing to have in my back pocket.” He also noted the wind and lower green speeds that USGA has set for the opening round.
Ben Silverman earned his spot by winning a qualifier at his home club in Florida and will play his first major since 2022. Silverman’s recent form has been strong, and he is looking forward to the challenge of Shinnecock Hills.
Shinnecock Hills has hosted the U.S. Open five times before, in 1896, 1986, 1995, 2004 and 2018, and is scheduled to host its sixth edition in 2026. The course is known for its links‑style layout, long roughs and fast greens, making it one of the most demanding venues in major golf. The USGA has adjusted the green speeds for the opening round, lowering them by almost two points to increase difficulty.
The Canadian contingent is diverse in experience. Yellamaraju is a rookie on the PGA Tour, Taylor is a seasoned major competitor, Conners is a veteran who has dealt with injury setbacks, and Silverman is a rising talent. Their combined experience and recent performances suggest they will be among the players to watch.
The U.S. Open field will begin play with 156 golfers, including the four Canadians, and will run through Sunday. The tournament will test the players’ accuracy and resilience on a course that has produced only three winners under par in its history. As the event progresses, the focus will be on how the Canadian golfers adapt to the challenging conditions and whether Yellamaraju can build on his recent successes.
The U.S. Open will continue to be a showcase of the world’s best golfers, and the Canadian players’ performances will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike. The outcome of the tournament will determine the next generation of major champions and the future of Canadian golf on the world stage.
