The 2026 US Open is set to tee off Thursday, and while the field is stacked, two names are dominating the conversation: Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. Both are playing for something bigger than a trophy — a unique slice of golf immortality.
Scheffler arrives at Winged Foot with a chance to complete the career Grand Slam, an achievement only Tiger Woods has managed faster. Woods did it in his first attempt at a major after winning his fourth; Scheffler could match that. After capturing The Open in 2025, the world No. 1 now needs a US Open title to join the sport’s most exclusive club. He’d become just the second player after Woods to finish the Slam on his first try.
McIlroy completed his own Grand Slam in 2025 with a Masters win, then repeated the feat in 2026. That puts both players in rarefied air — and makes their Thursday tee times more than just routine scheduling. They’re the two best golfers on the planet right now, and during majors, they consistently deliver the kind of Sunday drama that casual fans and purists alike crave. But for the first two rounds, they won’t be paired together. That doesn’t mean the groupings lack star power.
The Early Window: Heavyweights and Rising Stars
At 7:30 AM ET, Cameron Young, Brooks Koepka, and Chris Gotterup will tee off on No. 1. Koepka, a five-time major winner and the No. 3 player in the world, enters following a hand injury that forced him to withdraw from last week’s RBC Canadian Open. According to reports, the injury isn’t considered serious, but his hand will be tested under major pressure. Gotterup, meanwhile, has a win this season at the Waste Management Open and is quietly climbing the rankings.
McIlroy will open his campaign at 7:52 AM on the back nine, joined by close friend Tommy Fleetwood and Ludvig Åberg. Fleetwood won the 2025 Tour Championship and brings a gritty, crowd-pleasing style. Åberg, ranked 13th in the world, continues to show he belongs in big moments.
The Marquee Group: Scheffler’s Title Chase Begins
Scheffler draws the 8:15 AM slot on No. 1 alongside reigning US Open champion J.J. Spaun and amateur standout Mason Howell. Spaun’s 2025 victory shocked the golf world, and he’ll look to prove it was no fluke. Howell, one of the top amateurs in the country, has nothing to lose — a dangerous combination.
Late-Round Firepower
The afternoon wave brings its own share of intrigue. PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai gets the 1:14 PM start on the back nine with Jason Day and Collin Morikawa. All three are former major champions or contenders. Bryson DeChambeau, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Victor Hovland follow at 1:25 PM, also off the back. DeChambeau has not confirmed a LIV-to-PGA status change but remains one of the most polarizing figures in the sport.
Hideki Matsuyama, Xander Schauffele, and Justin Thomas tee off at 1:47 PM on the front nine — a grouping that blends precision, power, and temperament. The final highlighted group sends Justin Rose, Jon Rahm, and Jordan Spieth off the back nine at 2:09 PM. All three have won majors and know how to navigate US Open conditions.
The weekend could reshuffle everything. But for now, the tee sheet offers a glimpse of what might be a historic week. Whether Scheffler completes the Slam or McIlroy adds another chapter to his legacy, the opening rounds will set the stage.
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