stiff winds – Wind and changing skies are expected to complicate play at Shinnecock Hills in Friday’s Round 2 of the 2026 U.S. Open, after Thursday’s schedule was pushed back by heavy fog. AccuWeather’s 10-day outlook calls for gusty conditions again through the weekend.
When golfers finally got to the course at Shinnecock Hills after a foggy Thursday. it didn’t end the uncertainty—Friday’s Round 2 brings a new kind of problem. The 2026 U.S. Open is set to continue at the William Flynn-designed layout in brightening skies and stiff winds. with gusts expected to keep players on edge.
Thursday’s first round was delayed by heavy fog. and the weather may be a factor again at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island. especially as the tournament moves deeper into the weekend. It will be the sixth time the U.S. Open has been contested at Shinnecock. a venue known for how quickly conditions can change and how much that can punish anyone who misreads the course.
The stakes aren’t just competitive. Whoever wins this year’s title will have to handle more than the field of elite players in the world—they’ll also have to beat Mother Nature.
Shinnecock’s U.S. Open history underlines that point. Past champions at the course include Brooks Koepka (2018), Retief Goosen (2004), Corey Pavin (1996), and Raymond Floyd (1986).
The schedule now has a clear weather thread running through it. The U.S. Open began on June 18, and AccuWeather has posted a 10-day forecast for Shinnecock Hills, N.Y., with a reminder that thunderstorms are always a possibility during summertime conditions in the area.
Friday, June 19 (Round 2): Stiff winds with clouds giving way to sun. Gusty winds are expected to continue to pose problems for golfers.
Saturday, June 20 (Round 3): Stiff winds with plenty of sunshine. Gusty winds are again expected to be a challenge.
Sunday, June 21 (Round 4): Times of clouds and sunshine, with conditions described as nice for Father’s Day activities.
The through-line from Thursday’s fog to Friday’s wind is simple: the course isn’t just a test of skill—it’s a shifting one. A tournament at Shinnecock can punish any plan that depends on the weather staying still. and the weekend forecast suggests players may be negotiating the elements more than they’re negotiating their opponents.
With Round 2 arriving on June 19, the window for calm looks narrow. For golfers trying to separate themselves from the pack, the challenge won’t just be hitting to the right spots—it will be doing it while gusts keep changing how the ball behaves from shot to shot.
2026 U.S. Open Shinnecock Hills Round 2 weather forecast stiff winds gusts Long Island AccuWeather thunderstorms June 19 2026