Story perspectives

Scheffler Favored for Career Grand Slam at 2026 U.S. Open

6/14/2026

Summary

Scheffler Targets Grand Slam

The 2026 U.S. Open begins on Thursday, June 18 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York.
FanDuel lists Scottie Scheffler at +550, Rory McIlroy at +1200 and Brooks Koepka at +2500 as top contenders.
SportsLine’s 10,000-simulation model projects Scottie Scheffler could earn a Career Grand Slam.
The model predicts Brooks Koepka will miss the top 25 while Ludvig Aberg could finish in the top three.

Summary

Koepka ’s Record Purse

Koepka's 2026 win earned $2.16 million, the biggest champion purse cited.
In 2004 Corey Pavin earned $350,000, Retief Goosen $1,125,000, and Raymond Floyd took $115,000 in 1986, showing prize growth.
Ann Liguori’s “Talking Golf” streams on Audacy, Spotify and iTunes, while “Sports Innerview” airs on WLIW-FM and WLIW.org, showing the shift to digital platforms.
The USGA watered the 7th green between groups in 2004 after conditions made it unplayable.

History

Historical Context

The 2004 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, won by Retief Goosen, marked a turning point in prize money and media coverage. The USGA awarded Goosen $1.125 million, while runner-up Tiger Woods earned $720,000, reflecting a 220% increase from the 1986 champion’s $115,000. Similarly, the 2026 U.S. Open at the same venue projects Scottie Scheffler’s potential Career Grand Slam and Brooks Koepka’s $2.16 million winner’s purse. The escalating payouts and digital streaming on Audacy, Spotify, and WLIW-FM signal golf’s expanding commercial footprint and evolving fan engagement.

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Scheffler Targets Grand Slam

The 2026 U.S. Open begins on Thursday, June 18 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York.
FanDuel lists Scottie Scheffler at +550, Rory McIlroy at +1200 and Brooks Koepka at +2500 as top contenders.
SportsLine’s 10,000-simulation model projects Scottie Scheffler could earn a Career Grand Slam.
The model predicts Brooks Koepka will miss the top 25 while Ludvig Aberg could finish in the top three.

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