The life of being IN radar, for someone before UNDER it, has received some recalibration.
“It’s been crazy, yeah, just being thrown into the spotlight, thrown into a different territory than what I’m used to,” JJ Spaun said. “So it’s been a little bit — it’s been fun, but also a challenge at the same time trying to balance, like, what’s it like to be an elite golfer now — considered an elite golfer now. A little bit like a disorienting kind of situation for me. I’ve always been kind of the underdog, the one who’s been able to hide in the background and his background, like now, in the shadows, but now, it was like, like, this guy has to come out, this guy has to come out — you know, he’s a top-10 player in the world, like, this guy has to play well.
“So I’ve been putting a lot of pressure on myself to start the year based on what I did last year. But try to let it go and remember that I can play really well if I just get out of my way. Relaxing and trying not to control the score too much has really helped me settle in like the start of spring here.”
This week in Shinnecock Hills Golf ClubSpaun goes back to where he is broke through a year ago – US Open. Before last year’s win at Oakmont, he had won just once, and by golfodds.com, he started the tournament at odds of 150-1. But he ended the week as the only player under par, since then he has won again and, as he noted, he is one of the top 10 players in the world.
The question then is, can last year’s sleeper winner repeat? In the history of the US Open, there have only been seven players who have returned back to back.
Then again, Spaun said Shinnecock reminded him a bit of Oakmont.
“I think it’s going to be good,” he said of the defense. “I only defended once. It was just—it almost feels like a homecoming. You like to relive your success and everybody’s kind of happy to see you, and people want to talk to you, and there’s a lot of attention and focus on you.
“But yeah, I don’t know. I think it’s something that I have to enjoy because I don’t think a lot of guys, I mean, it’s hard to be able to defend a big championship or, I mean, a big event. So I’m just going to try to enjoy it and keep working hard and stick to my process and add to it and see what happens.”
With that, our staff members have each made a lengthy selection below about it help you with your weekly choiceswhether they’re for a low-stakes office fantasy league, or (legal!) big-money bets with a sportsbook. It is a pleasant endeavor for us. Set it to your liking.
In our analysis.
US Open 2026 sleeper picks to watch
PGA Tour golfers aren’t the only ones who can make some 💰 starting next Thursday. You can too! Here are some tips. https://t.co/uldLYRZvRh
— Nick Piastowski (@nickpia) June 5, 2020
Alan Bastable
Choice of sleep: Adam Scott, +10,000. He didn’t play the US Open in 1896 at Shinny – it just feels that way. Look for Scotty to make some noise in what will be his 100th (!) major league start.
Josh Berhow
Choice of sleep: Cameron Smith, +8,000. Again, back to those tricky conditions, which shouldn’t scare Cam Smith. He’s had a tough few years, but he showed us at the PGA Championship that he still has the ability to cut it.
Adam Christensen
Choice of sleep: Alex Fitzpatrick +9000. Prior to last week’s Canadian Open, Alex Fitzpatrick played five PGA Tour events this season and finished in the top 10 four times, three of which in tournaments that weren’t all birdies. Confidence is huge, so for a long shot, I’ll take a guy that rides higher than anyone else at this price point right now.
James Colgan
Choice of sleep: David Puig, +12,500. The last time the US Open went to Shinnecock, we witnessed an all-time final round from a young, rising player with world-class ability. His name was Tommy Fleetwood. He tied for second, but the performance is etched in my memory of the kind of brilliance that can come from Shinny’s under-the-spotlight cheekiness. I like Puig’s chances.
Jack Hirsch
Choice of sleep: Sahith Theegala, +15,000, Are we serious about these odds? Sahith had a bad year in 2025 but has responded with many top 10s so far this year. I could see him putting it all together in a US Open setup that rewards great wedge play.
Jessica Marksbury
Choice of sleep: Russell Henley, +4,500. Those odds are a bit strong for a real sleeper, but I like Henley’s credentials heading into the Open. He is the most accurate driver on Tour, and hitting the road will be huge at Shinnecock. Plus, he’s in the midst of a terrific season, with a win at the Charles Schwab Challenge and four top-10 and nine top-25 finishes in 13 events.
Zephyr Melton
Choice of sleep: Shane Lowry, +6600. Does Shane Lowry qualify as a sleeper? Whatever. It will be windy, so your golf links skills should come in handy. I can see the Irishman making a run.
Jake Morrow
Choice of sleep: My Sungjae, +12,500. He’s playing better golf than people might think, and the course allows for more aggressive approach plays, which is Sungjae’s sauce.
Nick Piastowski
Choice of sleep: Gary Woodland, +12,500. If you’ve read this space before, you’ll know I love a good story. And a Woodland win at the US Open would be the ultimate story.
Josh Schrock
Choice of sleep: Adam Scott +10,000. Playing in his 100th straight major, I expect Scott to play smart and disciplined golf and be a factor on the weekend. Outside of a blowout loss at Aronimink, Scott has played well, including a tie for fourth at Doral and a tie for 12th at Memorial. He was in the mix on Sunday at Oakmont last year and I think it will be a similar story on Long Island.
Johnny Wunder
Choice of sleep: David Puig, +12,500. This will be his coming out party. Like Rahm, he is an elite ball hitter but may have the best short game in the world. He’s tall, does it well, and if his iron game is on point, you’ll see his name in the mix right away. This kid is DAWG.
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