U.S. Open: The big names not playing at Shinnecock Hills

The U.S. Open gets underway on Thursday. 

The 126th edition of the major returns to Shinnecock Hills for the first time since 2018 and is once again set to provide the toughest test for the best players in the world. 

World number one Scottie Scheffler is the pre-tournament favourite and is bidding to complete the career grand slam on the first attempt. 

Masters champion Rory McIlroy will believe he can be Scheffler's biggest challenger and is seeking a first U.S. Open title in 15 years. 

Victory for the Northern Irishman would also see him draw level with Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, Gene Sarazen, Bobby Jones and Harry Vardon as a seven-time major champion. 

McIlroy and Scheffler will also face stiff competition from LIV Golf recruits Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton. 

Big names we also expect to make contend for the gold medal include Xander Schauffele, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Cameron Young, Ludvig Aberg, Patrick Reed, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Wyndham Clark, Tommy Fleetwood, Brooks Koepka, Robert MacIntyre and Justin Rose. 

There are also several big names that won't be teeing it up at the 2026 U.S. Open. 

GolfMagic has decided to take a look. 

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Tiger Woods

Let's start with the obvious, shall we? Woods, 50, has a few legal issues to worry about. 

The 15-time major champion has been charged with driving under the influence after crashing his Land Rover in March. 

That prompted Woods, who has denied the charge through his attorney, to travel overseas to seek treatment.

Woods returned to the United States last week and is scheduled to appear in court next month. 

He wasn't eligible to compete in the 2026 U.S. Open anyway, but would've likely received a special exemption from the USGA if he wanted to. 

Woods is also not playing in next month's Open either. 

It means that for the second year in a row, Woods will miss all four majors. 

Phil Mickelson

Like Woods, Mickelson wasn't eligible for the 2026 U.S. Open. 

Mickelson needs to win the U.S. Open to complete the career grand slam but it's looking increasingly likely that Lefty's appearance at Oakmont 12 months ago will prove to be his last appearance in the major. 

The 56-year-old, who finished runner-up in the U.S. Open six times, is currently taking some time away from the sport to attend a private family health matter. 

He has also been accused of misconduct at a high-end golf club in San Diego. 

The allegation also saw Mickelson booted out of The Farms in Rancho Sante Fe, California. 

Mickelson's attorney described the allegations as "false rumours". 

Sergio Garcia

The Spaniard played 25 consecutive U.S. Opens in a row before his streak ended in 2025. 

Garcia tried to qualify for the U.S. Open was among those to leave golf's longest day disappointed. 

His best finish at the U.S. Open remains a runner-up to Angel Cabrera in 2007 when it was staged at Oakmont. 

Tony Finau 

The big American has endured an alarming slide down the Official World Golf Ranking in recent years and is now outside the top 100. 

He did not qualify for the Masters or PGA Championship and came up short in final qualifying for the 2026 U.S. Open.

Finau is currently not in the field for next month's Open at Royal Birkdale but will have opportunities to qualify. 

The 36-year-old can head to Final Qualifying next month. 

Tournament organisers have also announced details of the inaugural 'Last-Chance Qualifier' which will see 12 players compete for one final spot. 

Max Homa

For the second consecutive year Max Homa will miss the U.S. Open. 

He played five in a row from 2020 but missed out in qualifying in Dallas earlier in the month. 

Homa played in the same 36-hole qualifier as Finau but missed lost in a playoff. 

Marco Penge

The 27-year-old Englishman is the highest-ranked player to miss out. 

Penge, who is playing his rookie season on the PGA Tour, has endured some health problems in recent months. 

He came down with a virus last November and has struggled with symptoms ever since. 

An MRI scan ruled out anything serious but Penge decided to step away to re-charge his batteries. 

He had hoped to return for this week's U.S. Open, but will remain outside the gallery ropes for a while longer.

Notable LIV Golf players not in the U.S. Open field...

U.S. Open full field 2026 (156 players)