The 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills is already shaping up to be a test of precision, but tracking tee times across time zones doesn’t have to be. This guide distills everything—from when pairings drop to how to watch Rory McIlroy’s group—into one clear page.

4 related posts

Number of players: 156 ·
Rounds: 4 ·
Typical first tee time: 6:45 AM ET

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact player pairings for each round are not yet published—tee times are confirmed only after each preceding round.
  • Late withdrawals (e.g., Jordan Spieth’s status) remain subject to change until the morning of the round.
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Check usopen.com for live updates and the official tee-time table.

Five key facts, one pattern: the official source (U.S. Open official website (USGA)) is the single point of truth for all tee-time data.

The key facts table below summarizes the championship details you need to plan your viewing.

Label Value
Tournament U.S. Open
Next edition 2026 (Shinnecock Hills Golf Club)
Official website usopen.com
Format Stroke play (156 players)
First tee time (typical) 6:45 AM ET

What time does the U.S. Open start in Ireland?

The U.S. Open tee times are published in Eastern Time (ET). Ireland operates on Irish Standard Time (IST) during June, which is 5 hours ahead of ET. So a 6:45 AM ET start corresponds to 11:45 AM IST. The implication: early-round action in Ireland falls in the late morning—perfect for a lunchtime viewing session.

Time difference breakdown

  • ET to IST: +5 hours
  • ET to BST (UK): +5 hours
  • ET to AEST (Australia): +14 hours
Why this matters

For Irish fans, the first tee time at 6:45 AM ET (11:45 AM IST) means you won’t miss a shot if you tune in after lunch. But if Rory McIlroy tees off at 1:00 PM ET, that’s 6:00 PM IST—prime evening golf.

The easiest method is to bookmark the official schedule on usopen.com and let the site display your local time.

When will US Open tee times be announced?

The U.S. Open has a predictable, event-driven schedule for releasing tee times. Understanding the flow helps you stay ahead.

Release timetable

  • Tuesday before Round 1: Tee times for Rounds 1 and 2 are published on usopen.com and PGA Tour official site (tournament data).
  • Friday evening (after Round 2 cut): Round 3 pairings are issued, based on the leaderboard.
  • Saturday evening (after Round 3): Round 4 tee times are announced.
Bottom line: U.S. Open pairings drop Tuesday for the first two rounds, then dynamically after each round. Bookmark the official website to get alerts.

What are the U.S. Open tee times for round 3?

Round 3 is where the field narrows and the drama tightens. Pairings are formed from the leaderboard after the cut — players are grouped in threesomes (or twosomes if weather delays occur) with staggered start times. Saturday tee times typically begin earlier than Thursday/Friday, often as early as 7:00–7:30 AM ET. The exact times depend on field size and the number of groups.

What to watch

In past U.S. Opens, the third round has featured marquee groups like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler teeing off around 1:30 PM ET. Check Golf Channel (golf news and coverage) for their round-3 list once released.

The pattern: Round 3 tee times compress into a 7–8 hour window, so expect the leaders to go off in the afternoon when TV viewership peaks.

What time is Rory McIlroy teeing off?

Rory McIlroy’s tee time at the U.S. Open varies year-to-year based on his position in the field. In 2026, his grouping—often alongside Scottie Scheffler or Brooks Koepka—will be confirmed only after the cut. For a current-year view, check the official pairings on usopen.com.

Recent grouping history

McIlroy tends to be placed in marquee groups. At the 2026 PGA Championship, he teed off at 11:00 AM EDT with Brooks Koepka (Golf Channel (golf news and coverage)). A similar high-profile grouping is expected for the U.S. Open if he makes the cut.

The catch: If McIlroy misses the cut, his Round 3 tee time disappears. Bookmark the U.S. Open website and refresh after Round 2.

What TV channel is the US Open on?

Broadcast coverage is split across several platforms. Knowing which channel airs which session can save you time.

Coverage breakdown

  • NBC: Weekend afternoon coverage (Saturday and Sunday) – typically from 2:00 PM ET until the final putt.
  • Golf Channel: Early rounds (Thursday/Friday) and morning sessions on weekends – often starting at 6:30 AM ET.
  • Peacock: Full live streaming of every round, including featured groups and main feed.
  • USGA streaming: Available on the official U.S. Open official website (USGA) and mobile app.
The upshot

Golf Channel and Peacock deliver the most tee-time-to-tee-time coverage, while NBC focuses on the weekend finish. International viewers should check local schedules.

Why this matters: If you’re watching from Ireland, Golf Channel’s early coverage starts at 11:30 AM IST – just as the first groups are finishing their front nine.

U.S. Open week timeline

The table below outlines the key milestones for the championship week.

Date / Period Event
Monday, June 15 Practice rounds begin
Tuesday, June 16 Tee times for Rounds 1-2 announced
Wednesday, June 17 Final practice round
Thursday, June 18 Round 1
Friday, June 19 Round 2 (cut made)
Saturday, June 20 Round 3
Sunday, June 21 Round 4 (final)

The pattern: The cut on Friday evening sets the stage for weekend pairings, so check the leaderboard after Round 2 to gauge who you’ll be watching.

Confirmed facts

  • 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club (U.S. Open official website (USGA))
  • Tee times for Rounds 1-2 released Tuesday before the tournament (U.S. Open official website (USGA))
  • Round 3 pairings determined after Round 2 cut
  • Broadcast on NBC, Golf Channel, and Peacock (NBC Sports (golf coverage))

What’s unclear

  • Exact player pairings for each round – not announced until the day before
  • Whether any top players will withdraw (e.g., Spieth’s status)
  • Weather delays could shift tee times

For fans in Ireland, the choice is clear: set your alarm for 11:45 AM IST on Thursday and Friday to catch the first tee shots on Golf Channel, or wait for NBC’s weekend coverage on Saturday afternoon. Either way, bookmark usopen.com–it’s the one stop that will never let you miss a starting time.

Additional sources

cbssports.com, golfmagic.com, 3mopen.com, pgachampionship.com, pgatour.com, sportsdata.usatoday.com

Fans looking ahead can also revisit how the championship unfolded at the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont as preparation for next year’s tournament.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

How are U.S. Open tee times determined?

Pairings are set by a USGA committee based on player rankings and competitive balance. Round 1 and 2 groupings are announced Tuesday, while later rounds use the leaderboard position.

What time do gates open on tournament days?

Gate times vary by venue, but typically open 2–3 hours before the first tee time, often around 5:00 AM ET.

Can I watch the U.S. Open online?

Yes. Full live streaming is available via Peacock (NBC streaming service) and the USGA’s official website and app.

How many players make the cut?

At the U.S. Open, the cut falls to the top 60 players and ties after 36 holes, plus any player within 10 strokes of the lead.

What is the playoff format if tied?

The U.S. Open uses a two-hole aggregate playoff. If still tied, it continues to sudden death.

Where can I find the live leaderboard?

The official leaderboard is on usopen.com and PGA Tour official site (tournament data).

Related reading