Tommy Fleetwood is set to return to Shinnecock Hills for the 2026 US Open, a venue that holds significant memories for him. After securing his first victory on the PGA Tour at the 2025 Tour Championship, Fleetwood capped off his remarkable year with a win for Team Europe at the Ryder Cup held at Bethpage Black. As he prepares for the upcoming event, he reflects on his impressive performance at Shinnecock Hills during the 2018 US Open, where he delivered one of the best rounds in the tournament’s history.
During the 2018 championship, Fleetwood began strong, making an early birdie and following it with two more. He achieved four consecutive birdies on the back nine, finishing just one shot off the lead held by Brooks Koepka. Although Fleetwood was focused on achieving a score of 62, which would have set a record for the lowest round in US Open history, he ultimately finished with a score of 63. Reflecting on that round, Fleetwood noted, “Obviously, that’s the putt that will play on in your mind because that was the last shot you’ll hit. That was your chance.”
Fleetwood’s second-place finish at Shinnecock Hills still resonates with him. He expressed, “I always thought I was going to be one short, but Brooks kept giving that little bit of hope, only to then hole a putt just to stab you in the stomach.” His desire to break the record was evident, as he remarked, “Yeah, but I wanted 62.”
As he prepares for Father’s Day, Fleetwood plans to spend time with his family, reflecting on his journey as a new father while anticipating his next challenge on the course. He stated, “We’ll go and relax a little bit and just see. Only time will tell what’s going to happen today at the course.”
Fleetwood’s impressive record at the US Open includes remarkable scores of 63 at both Shinnecock Hills in 2018 and the Los Angeles Country Club in 2023. At LACC, he made history by becoming the first player to shoot two rounds of 63 or better in US Open history. After his record-breaking rounds, he acknowledged his missed opportunities, saying, “Yeah, missed a six-footer on the first, missed a five-footer on the last, and then everything in between was really, really good.”
Fleetwood described his performance at LACC as a culmination of excellent golf shots and strategic plays. He recalled, “I hit some amazing golf shots. I hit the tee shot on 6 and then the 5-wood off the tee into 11 that I had to cut against the wind a little bit.”
With the 2026 US Open fast approaching, Fleetwood is eager to return to a course that has shaped his career. The anticipation builds as he aims to join the ranks of players like Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele, who both shot 62 in the first round at the 2023 championship. As Fleetwood looks forward to this significant event, his goals remain clear: to capture the title and make history in the prestigious tournament once again.
