Editor’s note: Follow along for updates and highlights from Round 1 of the U.S. Open.
The 2026 U.S. Open is shaping up to be a brutal test for the world’s best golfers. High winds, a two-hour fog delay and the challenges already presented by Shinnecock Hills Golf Club have produced a Round 1 leaderboard with only a select few under par, much like the last time the U.S. Open was held at the Southampton, New York course.
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The tricky greens and conditions are changing from hole to hole, with significant wind gusts projected to affect the rest of Thursday’s tee times and Friday’s second round. There are more players than usual struggling as a result and the projected cut line will loom large over every mistake.
Scottie Scheffler, defending U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun and Si Woo Kim are among the top golfers off to rough starts, though there’s plenty of time left to work their way back into contention. Only the top 60 golfers (and ties) after 36 holes of tournament play make the cut for the final two rounds this weekend.
Here’s a live cut line tracker for the 2026 U.S. Open, as well as the current leaderboard and an updated projection of where the cut line is right now and where the cut line is most likely to fall by the end of play on Friday:
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Heavy fog delays US Open opening round action at Shinnecock Hills
A video board displays a message that play has been suspended due to limited visibility on the course during the first round of the 126th U.S. OPEN at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 18, 2026 in Southampton, N.Y. The first groups teed off at 6:35 a.m. ET and then had play suspended due to heavy fog.
(Kate McShane, Getty Images)
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Heavy fog delays US Open opening round action at Shinnecock Hills
A video board displays a message that play has been suspended due to limited visibility on the course during the first round of the 126th U.S. OPEN at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 18, 2026 in Southampton, N.Y. The first groups teed off at 6:35 a.m. ET and then had play suspended due to heavy fog.
(Kate McShane, Getty Images)
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Heavy fog delays US Open opening round action at Shinnecock Hills
Fog limits visibility near the clubhouse during the first round of the 126th U.S. OPEN at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 18, 2026 in Southampton, N.Y.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
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Heavy fog delays US Open opening round action at Shinnecock Hills
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot from the driving range at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 18, 2026 in Southampton, N.Y.
(Andrew Redington, Getty Images)
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Heavy fog delays US Open opening round action at Shinnecock Hills
Rules official Steve Rintoul blows the horn to signal a suspension of play due to limited visibility during the first round of the 126th U.S. OPEN at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 18, 2026 in Southampton, N.Y.
(Andrew Redington, Getty Images)
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Heavy fog delays US Open opening round action at Shinnecock Hills
Marshals look on through the fog during the first round of the 126th U.S. OPEN at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 18, 2026 in Southampton, N.Y.
(Kate McShane, Getty Images)
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Heavy fog delays US Open opening round action at Shinnecock Hills
Fog limits visibility on the course during the first round of the 126th U.S. OPEN at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 18, 2026 in Southampton, N.Y.
(Warren Little, Getty Images)
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Heavy fog delays US Open opening round action at Shinnecock Hills
The group of James Nicholas of the United States, Taylor Montgomery of the United States, and Caleb Surratt of the United States walk off the first tee during the first round of the 126th U.S. OPEN at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 18, 2026 in Southampton, N.Y.
(Andrew Redington, Getty Images)
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Heavy fog delays US Open opening round action at Shinnecock Hills
Caleb Surratt of the United States plays a shot from the bunker on the second green during the first round of the 126th U.S. OPEN at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 18, 2026 in Southampton, N.Y.
(Cliff Hawkins, Getty Images)
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Heavy fog delays US Open opening round action at Shinnecock Hills
Peter Uihlein of the United States and his caddie ride in a cart during a suspension in play due to limited visibility during the first round of the 126th U.S. OPEN at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 18, 2026 in Southampton, N.Y.
(Kate McShane, Getty Images)
2026 U.S. OPEN: Apparel for Jason Day, Viktor Hovland, Cameron Young and more
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US Open 2026 cut line right now
As of 2 p.m. ET on Thursday at the 2026 U.S. Open, the projected cut line is +5 based on the scores of the top 60 golfers (and ties) on the current leaderboard. All golfers with a score of +5 or better would make it to the weekend at Shinnecock Hills. However, only 78 of the 156 golfers in the field have teed off.
US Open cut line rules
The top 60 golfers (and ties) make the 36-hole cut at the 2026 U.S. Open. The cut line at last year’s U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club was +7. The cut line during the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills wound up at +8.
Live projected U.S. Open cut line
The predictive model used by Datagolf.com currently projects +5 to be the most likely cut line for the 2026 U.S. Open (35% chance). There is currently a 26.2% chance it drops to +4, and a 21% chance it gets up to +6 by the end of Friday’s second round, according to the website.
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US Open golfers on cut bubble
Mason Howell (a): +7 (11)
U.S. Open live leaderboard today
* — Started round on 10th hole
T2. Rory McIlroy: -1 (13)*
T2. Ludvig Åberg: -1 (13)*
T5. Adrien Dumont de Chassart: E (15)*
T5. Kristoffer Reitan: E (14)*
T5. Keegan Bradley: E (14)
T5. Rickie Fowler: E (14)
T5. Max Greyserman: E (12)*
T5. Brian Harman: E (12)*
T5. Alex Fitzpatrick: E (12)*
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US Open cut line tracker 2026: Live updates, projected cut for Friday
