Photo by Benny Hassum on Unsplash The PGA Championship is the second major of the calendar year, typically played in May. Organized by the PGA of America (distinct from the PGA Tour), it carries full major championship weight and a rich history that includes some of the sport's most dramatic finishes. Here's a complete guide to what the PGA Championship rewards, who historically performs best, and what to expect in upcoming editions. The PGA Championship's Unique Identity Among the four major championships, the PGA Championship is sometimes unfairly dismissed as the "fourth" major — the one that follows the Masters, US Open, and Open Championship in prestige. This is an undeserved reputation. The PGA Championship has produced some of the sport's greatest moments and is played at world-class venues on a rotating basis. What makes it distinct is its field composition: unlike the other majors, the PGA Championship traditionally includes the top 20 players from t...
Saturday at the US Open is when the championship separates its contenders from the rest of the field. At Shinnecock Hills, Moving Day will likely be defined as much by who avoids the big numbers as by who makes the most birdies — because the USGA setup makes scoring at will an illusion. Here is what to watch for on Saturday June 20 at the 2026 US Open.
The 54-Hole Dynamic
The player leading the US Open after 54 holes wins approximately 40-50% of the time across all editions of the championship. At Shinnecock specifically, where birdie opportunities are limited and the wind can shift dramatically between morning and afternoon, a three-shot lead entering Sunday is substantial. A player five or more shots back faces a genuine challenge — not impossible, but requiring an extraordinary final round from a player who has not yet demonstrated the ability to produce one at this championship.
Wind Direction is Everything
Saturday's draw will determine which players tee off in which conditions, and the conditions at Shinnecock can shift dramatically between morning and afternoon groups. A player who tees off in calm morning conditions at Shinnecock on Saturday has a fundamentally different challenge than one who goes out in a wind that turned 20 miles per hour from the west by midday. Watch the weather forecast heading into Moving Day — it may be the single most important factor in how Saturday's leaderboard looks by evening.
The Short Holes Decide the Day
At a course where par fours and par fives are often genuinely difficult to birdie, the par threes at Shinnecock carry disproportionate importance on Moving Day. A player who birdies two or three par threes on Saturday while the field averages par has separated themselves meaningfully. Watch the par three scoring carefully — it often tells the story of who is gaining and who is treading water on Moving Day at Shinnecock.
Tomorrow: Championship Sunday on Father's Day
Sunday June 21 is Father's Day, and the US Open has historically produced dramatic final rounds that make it one of the most compelling days in professional sport. NBC's broadcast begins in the morning and continues through the afternoon. The US Open trophy is presented to the champion in the early evening. Set a reminder now — Father's Day afternoon on NBC with the US Open at Shinnecock Hills is appointment viewing.
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