The 2026 United States Open is set to be played at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, the third major on the PGA Tour schedule, and outlets are offering varying predictions, prop bets, and long-shot ideas ahead of the tournament. Multiple previews frame the event as difficult to forecast, with the U.S. Open historically producing unexpected winners and results that can turn on specific matchups and performance over the weekend. CBS Sports highlights a broader field of 156 players and points to a short list of potential winners, alongside trends that could determine who prevails at Shinnecock Hills. Other coverage focuses more directly on betting: the New York Post features prop and matchup-style picks, including long-shot bets, while Golf.com provides a weekend betting guide with three picks and commentary on why its expert prefers them. Forbes similarly presents an odds-style preview, noting that predicting a champion at Shinnecock Hills remains uncertain. Across sources, the common theme is that the tournament’s setup and weekend conditions create multiple paths to contention, making both favorites and overlooked players viable in betting discussions.