U.S. Open: Justin Rose, Adam Scott share a lot, including playing at Shinnecock in both 2018 and 2004
Left (Michael A. Rupolo Sr.) Justin Rose hits an approach shot during second round of the 126th U.S. Open on Friday June 19, 2026 in Southampton. Middle (Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke) Justin Rose plays a shot during the practice Round of the 2018 U.S. Open Championship at the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton on Wednesday, June 13. Right (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) - SOUTHAMPTON, NY - JUNE 18: Justin Rose of England watches a shot during the second round of the 104th U.S. Open June 18, 2004 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. Credit: Various
Justin Rose and Adam Scott have plenty in common.
They’re both 45 years old (and turn 46 next month, Scott on July 16 and Rose on July 30). They each have won one major championship, the 2013 U.S. Open for Rose and the 2013 Masters for Scott. And they’ve each held stints as the No. 1 player in the official world golf ranking, Rose for 13 weeks in 2018 and 2019 and Scott for 11 weeks in 2014.
There’s also this: Rose and Scott are the only two players in this week’s U.S. Open field at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club to have played in the Open the last two times it was at the course in 2018 and 2004.
Rose not only has a unique perspective on how the championship test is different now compared to 2018 and 2004, but a deeper appreciation for the area.
“Long Island has such great golf,” Rose told Newsday after recording an even-par 70 in Friday’s second round to move to 1-over on the week, eight back of leader Wyndham Clark. “It's probably one of my favorite places to play golf. I’ve always said to people, it's like links golf, but with good weather.
“Garden City, Bethpage, even places like that are unbelievable tests of golf. Friar’s Head (in Riverhead is) one of my favorites. And then, obviously, you’re spoiled here with National (Golf Links of America) and Shinnecock right on each other's doorsteps, obviously Sebonack (Golf Club). There's loads. I mean, obviously, if I mention them all, I'm going to leave out some really good ones.
“But it is one of my favorite places to play golf.”
Left (Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke) Adam Scott hits from the 10th fairway during Round 2 of the 2026 U.S. Open Championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Friday, June 19, 2026. Middle (Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke) Adam Scott hits on the driving range during practice for the 118th U.S. Open Championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Sunday, June 10, 2018. Right (John Keating) (NOTE DATE CORRECTION) Adam Scott drives the ball off of the 2nd tee at the US Open at Shinnecock Hills on Friday June 18th, 2004. (Newsday Photo / John Keating) Credit: Various
Three major championship experiences on the Island’s East End also have provided more relationships for Rose.
“I think more my sort of networks or circle of friends has grown to include a few people that have nice houses up here, and kind of go to dinners and kind of get to see how the other half lives, you know what I mean, which is pretty cool,” the Englishman said. “It's a very special part of the world.”
The talk surrounding Scott, the No. 49 player in the world, entering this week surrounded a remarkable achievement: his 100th consecutive major start, the second-most in history behind Jack Nicklaus (146).
The Australian’s tournament would end Friday, though, after he missed the cut. He finished 8-over after shooting a 5-over 75 on Friday.
Scott, who also missed the cut at Shinnecock Hills in 2004 and 2018, declined an interview after his round. In a news conference Tuesday, he said “I still love the golf course” despite the two previous missed cuts.
Rose, the No. 7 player in the world, has been in good form at this year’s majors, finishing tied for third at the Masters and tied for 10th at the PGA Championship. In the 2004 U.S. Open, he missed the cut after posting a first-round 77 and a second-round 78. He entered the final round of the 2018 U.S. Open one shot back of the lead but shot a final-round 73 to finish tied for 10th, six back of winner Brooks Koepka.
He said he “was not a fan of the course at all” in 2004, noting “you're never going to like a place where you're playing poorly.” But things changed in 2012, when a Shinnecock Hills member invited him to play.
“It completely changed my opinion of the golf course,” he said. “So I came back in 2018 very excited about playing another U.S. Open here, and I had a great chance to win. I think I was one back going into Sunday. So I played some good golf, and I think that week we saw the course probably play how we fear it to play.”
As far as the first two rounds and the weekend ahead?
“It can get super tough out here, and I think this year there's been a little bit more of a sort of a moderated effort to kind of keep the course playable,” Rose said. “I think you’ve seen a lot of good scores despite the wind, and obviously they have been able to keep a lot of moisture on the golf course. So for me, I think that the heavy winds are a little scared of, but I don't know.
“Saturday looks windy again, so it's hard to take the hand brake off completely. But I think a touch firmer would be great.”
Ben Dickson is Newsday Sports' general assignment reporter. He joined Newsday’s high school sports staff in 2023 after graduating from Maryland, where he covered several of the Terrapins' teams.
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