The U.S. Open has a reputation unlike any other major championship. While the Masters is synonymous with Augusta National Golf Club and The Open Championship is defined by links golf and the PGA Championship is defined by, well, nobody seems to know, the U.S. Open prides itself on being golf’s toughest test. Thick rough, firm and fast greens and a premium placed on grinding out pars rather than chasing birdies.
This year’s edition takes place at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y. Hosting the U.S. Open for the sixth time, the historic Long Island layout is expected to once again push the world’s best players to their limits.
Four Canadians are in the field looking to become just the second men’s major champion from Canada. Before breaking down their chances, here’s a look at Shinnecock Hills and what makes it one of golf’s most demanding venues.
The Course
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
Par: 70
Length: 7,440 yards
Location: Southampton, New York
The clubhouse is seen at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File(
Set on the east end of Long Island, Shinnecock Hills is widely regarded as one of the toughest golf courses in the world. Originally opened in 1891 and shaped by several architects, most notably William Flynn, the course features rolling fairways, fescue-covered dunes and some of the most naturally contoured greens in golf.
Unlike many modern major venues, Shinnecock’s defence comes less from length and more from its exposure to the elements. Wind is often the course’s greatest hazard and when combined with firm fairways and lightning-fast, sloping greens, it creates a test that rewards precision, patience and imagination.
Shinnecock has hosted five previous U.S. Opens, producing champions named James Foulis (1896) Raymond Floyd (1986), Corey Pavin (1995), Retief Goosen (2014) and Brooks Koepka (2018). Koepka successfully defend his title from 2017 with the winning score being 1 over par.
The Canadians
Corey Conners
U.S. Open appearance: 7
Best finish: T9 (2024)
Last five PGA Tour starts: CUT, 53, T55, T31, T30
Corey Conners best finish at the U.S. Open is a T9. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn)
It has been a rough season for the 34-year-old, who has yet to record a top-10 finish in 2026. He is struggling more than usual on and around the greens this year, ranking 129th in strokes gained around the greens and 134th in putting. He is known for his stellar iron play, but even that has been off. Conners has lost strokes on approach in three of his last four starts, including last week when he missed the cut at the RBC Canadian Open. He does have a top 10 at the U.S. Open on his resumé, but that is his only made cut at the event in six career starts.
Ben Silverman
U.S. Open appearance: 2
Best finish: CUT
Last five PGA Tour starts: T54, T17, CUT, CUT, CUT
Ben Silverman played his way into the U.S. Open via Final Qualifying. (Photo: Courtesy Bernard Brault/Golf Canada)
The 38-year-old will make his second career start in a major after advancing from the Final Qualifying site at BallenIsles Country Club in Florida. Silverman has conditional status on the PGA Tour and has made only six starts on the top circuit. He has recorded two top 20s the last coming at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson where he was T17. It’s a small sample size, but Silverman has been rolling the rock well lately. He has gained shots on the greens in his last four PGA Tour starts, which includes last week at the RBC Canadian Open where he finished T54.
Nick Taylor
U.S. Open appearance: 8
Best finish: T23 (2025)
Last five PGA Tour starts: T65, T43, T26, T14, T9
Nick Taylor finished T23 at the 2025 U.S Open. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn)
Taylor’s game has dipped since his Sunday slide at the PGA Championship. His struggles were on full display Saturday at the RBC Canadian Open when he carded an 8-over 78. He bounced back with a solid round on Sunday, but it’s unlike Taylor to be so out of sorts. While his success at majors is limited, he’s played best at the U.S. Open, making the cut in three of his seven appearances. His best result came last year at Oakmont when he finished T23, his high mark at a major championship.
Sudarshan Yellamaraju
U.S. Open appearance: Debut
Best finish: N/A
Last five PGA Tour starts: T8, T40, CUT, CUT, T19
Sudarshan Yellamaraju, was the low Canadian at the 2026 RBC Canadian Open. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn)
The 24-year-old heads into his U.S. Open debut fresh off claiming low Canadian honours at the RBC Canadian Open. Yellamaraju finished T8 at TPC Toronto, his third top 10 of the season. The PGA Tour rookie has impressed so far this year and is 44th in the FedEx Cup standings. He made his first appearance at a major championship at the PGA Championship in May, missing the cut