U.S. Open: The big names in danger of missing the cut at Shinnecock Hills

Day one of the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills is almost in the books. 

Play was suspended at 1:28am BST on Thursday with several players in the field yet to complete their first round. 

The third men's major of the year began on time but fog forced players off the course for two hours. 

Masters champion Rory McIlroy was among the early starters and finished his round, signing for a one-under 69. 

The pre-tournament favourite, Scottie Scheffler - who is attempting to win the grand slam on his first attempt - battled hard to post a 72. 

Tommy Fleetwood, Ludvig Aberg, Brian Harman and 21-year-old amateur Ryder Cowan were among those to finish on level par or better.

Wyndham Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, had a four-shot lead at the top of the leaderboard when the klaxon blew. 

Clark only has two holes remaining to complete his first round.

Sam Stevens, Mac McGreevy, Matt Fitzpatrick, Gary Woodland, Max Greyserman and LIV Golf pair Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm were also inside the top10. 

At the other end of the leaderboard, though, some big names are in danger of making an exit at the halfway stage. 

As things stand, the projected cut is looking like it will possibly be four-over par. That could change. 

Only the top 60 and ties make it through to the weekend at the U.S. Open. 

GolfMagic has decided to take a look at who will need to go low on Friday. 

Brooks Koepka, +3

Brooks Koepka came into the U.S. Open nursing a bizarre hand injury. 

For the most part, Koepka played well on Thursday but came unstuck on the 18th with a double bogey. 

It turned a decent day into an average one. 

Adam Scott, +3

The Aussie is playing in his 100th consecutive major championship this week. 

He's among the later starters in round two and will hope it's not too windy. 

Collin Morikawa, +3 (17*)

Morikawa has been nursing a back injury since March.

The two-time major winner started on the back nine and turned in level par but dropped three strokes on the front. 

He hadn't hit his tee shot on the ninth when the horn blew. 

Justin Rose, +3 (13*)

The Englishman still has plenty of holes to turn his first round around. 

Shane Lowry +4 (14*)

The 2019 Open champion made one birdie, three bogeys and one double bogey thru 14 holes in round one. 

Aaron Rai +4 (17*)

The 2026 PGA Championship winner made the turn in one-under, but then made five birdies in seven holes on the back. 

He has one hole remaining to complete the opening round.

Tyrrell Hatton, +4

The Englishman came into the 2026 U.S. Open as a trendy pick to win the gold medal.

The reason why? Hatton simply loves winning on hard golf courses. 

Hatton's prep for the U.S. Open saw him win at the treacherously difficult Valderrama in Spain.

But it's looking like he could make an early exit.

Cameron Smith, +5

The LIV Golf recruit ended his streak of missed cuts in the majors at the PGA Championship. 

But he's staring down the barrel of another missed cut. 

Viktor Hovland, +6 (16*)

A day to forget for the Norwegian. 

J.J. Spaun, +7

A forgettable day for the defending champion, who didn't manage to find a single birdie.