Don’t miss a single shot! Get the full breakdown on how to watch the 2026 U.S. Open Thursday Round 1, including TV channels, streaming options, and tee times.

The Broadcast Blitz: Where to Find the Action

Key Broadcast Times to Remember

  • Early Bird TV: USA Network starts the U.S. Open coverage at 6:30 a.m. ET on Thursday. Get your coffee ready.
  • Midday Switch: The broadcast shifts to NBCSN from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. This is when things usually heat up.
  • Streaming Central: Peacock, USOpen.com, and the USGA app will have featured group coverage starting at 7:29 a.m. ET and running all day.
  • Peacock Bonus: You can also catch a live simulcast of the NBCSN coverage on Peacock from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Double the access, less chance of missing out.

Who’s Teed Up and When?

Early Starters to Keep an Eye On

  • Keep an eye on guys like Brooks Koepka , Cameron Young , and Chris Gotterup . They’re off at 9:30 a.m. ET. Koepka, a U.S. Open legend, is always a threat.
  • Later in that morning wave, you’ve got a loaded group: Justin Thomas , Hideki Matsuyama , and Xander Schauffele teeing off at 3:47 p.m. ET. That’s a serious firepower group.
  • And don’t forget about Patrick Cantlay and Billy Horschel , who are paired with J.T. Poston , starting at 4:09 p.m. ET.
  • The marquee matchup everyone will be talking about: Rory McIlroy , Ludvig Åberg , and Tommy Fleetwood . They’re off at 9:52 a.m. ET. McIlroy is always a contender, especially at a U.S. Open. He’s coming off a Masters win, so he’s feeling good. Can he back it up here? We’ll see.
  • Another big group to watch is Bryson DeChambeau , Viktor Hovland , and Matt Fitzpatrick . They go off at 3:25 p.m. ET. This trio is pure drama waiting to happen.
  • And then there’s the all-star cast of Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm , playing with Justin Rose . They tee off at 4:09 p.m. ET. You absolutely do not want to miss that.

Afternoon Powerhouses

  • Watch for groups like Chris Kirk , Max McGreevy , and Jake Knapp at 2:52 p.m. ET.
  • And later, Corey Conners and Ryan Fox are paired with Ryo Hisatsune at 3:25 p.m. ET.
  • Get ready for Collin Morikawa and Jason Day , who are teamed up with Aaron Rai . They start at 3:14 p.m. ET. Morikawa has the game for majors, Day is always dangerous.
  • And later, Joaquin Niemann , Alex Smalley , and Shane Lowry are off at 3:47 p.m. ET. Lowry knows how to win a major, so don’t count him out.

The Fog Factor and Other Delays

  • The Wind: This is the big one. Long Island winds can be fierce and swirling. They’ll make club selection a nightmare and can turn a simple approach shot into a gamble. Players will need to be smart with their trajectory and club choice. Expect a lot of low, stinging shots.
  • The Greens: They’re going to be firm and fast. Undulating, too. Missing the green in the wrong spot means a very difficult up-and-down, if you can even get it up and down. Putting will be a test of nerve and touch.
  • The Rough: It’s going to be thick. Not U.S. Open thick where you lose your ball for an hour, but thick enough that you’re going to be punching out sideways more often than not. You don’t want to be in it.
  • Course Management: This is where strategy really comes into play. Aggressive players might get themselves into trouble. Conservative players might get left behind. Finding that balance will be key. You’ll see a lot of guys playing away from pins, aiming for the fat part of the green, and just trying to make pars. Pars are good here. Very, very good.

Final Thoughts: Get Ready for the Spectacle

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