The third major of the 2026 golf season, the US Open, is on the horizon.

The tournament, which will be held at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, New York, begins on Thursday, June 18 and will conclude four days later on Sunday, June 22.

A tough week is in store for the best golfers in the world. The last time the tournament took place in Long Island was in 2018, and it was Brooks Koepka who battled his way to victory.

The American could only muster an overall score of one-over par, but that was enough for him to retain his title as he navigated the tricky conditions better than the rest of the field.

The tournament is expected to play very tough once again this year. On the eve of the tournament, GrokAI has been asked to predict the final top 25 in full, with the winner once again finishing over par.

25-11

Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm have both won the US Open before. The American won his maiden major title in 2020 at Winged Foot Golf Club, before winning the tournament again in 2024. The Spaniard, meanwhile, was triumphant in 2021.

Despite their success in the tournament and being among the very best golfers in the world right now, AI is not expecting either player to challenge at the top of the leaderboard.

Koepka, who like DeChambeau has won two US Open titles before, is predicted to finish just outside the top 20 on +11, alongside compatriots Daniel Berger and Maverick McNealy.

Three players are expected to finish on +10, including European Ryder Cup star Viktor Hovland, while Englishman Justin Rose is one of four players that AI thinks will end the tournament on +9.

Aaron Rai produced an incredible performance to win this year’s PGA Championship in May, becoming the first English winner of the tournament since Jim Barnes in 1919.

AI thinks that Rai, now 14th in the official world golf rankings, will finish just outside the top 10 at +8.

10-1

Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Scottie Scheffler is bidding to win the career Grand Slam this week. The world number 1 has triumphed at the Masters, the PGA Championship and the Open Championship, but the US Open continues to allude him. He has finished inside the top seven on four occasions, but is yet to reign supreme.

Scheffler, considered one of the best golfers ever, has been in good form during 2026, but he has only won once – all the way back in January when he won The American Express.

AI doesn’t think he will become just the seventh player in golf history to complete the Grand Slam this week, as he’s predicted to finish on +6 alongside Tyrrell Hatton and Xander Schauffele, and one shot clear of Ludvig Aberg and SI Woo Kim.

Cameron Young has finished in the top four of all four majors, but he is yet to win his first one. AI thinks it’ll be another near-miss for the American at Shinnecock Hills as he finishes +5, alongside former US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick.

European Ryder Cup stalwarts Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood are predicted to finish at +4, one shot off the eventual winner. The latter has form at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, having finished second in the 2018 US Open.

AI thinks that Russell Henley will break through and win his first major title this week. The 37-year-old has been in brilliant form this year and won the Charles Schwab Challenge just a few weeks ago. Explaining why it thinks Henley will be the surprise winner this year, GrokAI said:

Piers Morgan has caused a stir with his reaction to Lionel Messi’s history-making hat-trick for Argentina against Algeria at the 2026 World Cup.

Messi, 39 next week, joined Germany legend Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals as La Albiceleste began the defence of their title in impressive fashion.

It was Argentina’s talismanic captain who opened the scoring with a stunning effort past Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane – son of France great, Zinedine – in the 17th minute. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, widely regarded as the best footballer in history, added two more goals in the second half before going off to a standing ovation shortly afterwards.

“To enjoy this with my family, with my teammates, the ones who are always there, is a really beautiful moment,” Messi, named Player of the Match, told reporters after the final whistle.

“The squad, it’s a very united, very strong group. I feel good; we were lucky enough to win a tough match. It’s important to start off with a win in the first game.

“I’m grateful to the fans, because once again they’ve shown that Argentina is crazy about this – we packed the stadium again.

“Everything I’m experiencing now is a bonus. I’ve been fortunate enough to achieve all my dreams – or even more than I ever dreamed of achieving – both professionally and personally.”

Piers’ Social Media Post About Messi

Claudia Greco via Reuters

Piers Morgan has made no secret of the fact he believes Cristiano Ronaldo, who he’s interviewed on several occasions in recent years and now considers a friend, is superior to Messi.

This is despite the fact that Piers himself once labelled Messi as the better player, insisting “any further debate is superfluous”.

However, that deleted tweet was posted long before Piers became pally with Cristiano. The British broadcaster now holds a very different view regarding football’s GOAT debate.

In fact, Messi failed to even make Morgan’s all-time World Cup XI, which he named last week.

While Piers conceded that Messi produced a “brilliant performance” on Tuesday – presumably through gritted teeth – the former tabloid newspaper editor added: “but he should have been sent off for this outrageous studs-up foul on Algeria’s Mandi. The fact he didn’t even get booked is ridiculous – could have broken the guy’s leg.”

Now, Piers isn’t alone in thinking that Messi was fortunate to avoid punishment. ESPN pundits Nedum Onuoha and Ale Moreno were in agreement that Argentina’s No. 10 should have been sent off and were confused why referee Szymon Marciniak wasn’t asked to review the incident by VAR.

However, many fans believe Morgan has used the incident as an excuse to downplay Messi’s latest masterclass.

“Man you are sick!” replied an Argentina fan on X (Twitter), while another football fan said: “Too early to start crying.”

A third supporter commented: “Get a grip, Piers. Appreciate greatness, you won’t die,” while a fourth added:

A fifth supporter wrote: “Oh Tears Morgan – you never fail to surprise me. Softest accidental foul you’ll ever see. The world should be thankful the referee and VAR saw it as such The fact you’d be ecstatic at seeing the greatest player to ever step on a pitch be sent off for that is a testament to how much of a worm you really are.” Ouch.

All eyes will now be on Piers’ footballing hero Ronaldo as Portugal take on DR Congo in their opening World Cup match on Wednesday.

Ilia Topuria’s agent has revealed exactly what ‘El Matador’ told him in the immediate aftermath of his brutal defeat to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250.

Topuria entered his undisputed UFC Lightweight Championship clash with Gaethje at the White House as a heavy favourite. The 29-year-old, who has held UFC gold in two divisions, was undefeated in all 17 of his previous MMA outings.

However, the adopted Spaniard was battered by Gaethje in the main event of the card at the White House, as ‘The Highlight’ entered a career-best performance to win a full UFC title for the first time in his career.

Ilia Topuria’s Loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250

Amber Searls via Imagn Images

The American enjoyed significant success early in the fight as he bloodied Topuria during the opening round. Ilia would later admit that he had lost all vision in his right eye by the end of the first session.

Despite enduring a nightmare beginning to the contest, Topuria battled back well in the second. He even looked to be on the verge of winning the fight when he dropped Gaethje with a perfectly-timed shot to the liver.

As Gaethje fell, Topuria followed his opponent to the ground, something he would later be told was a “big mistake” by Justin’s coach, Trevor Wittman.

Gaethje managed to avoid various submission attempts from Topuria and survive until the end of the round. Having made it to the third round, Justin began to turn the screw on a struggling Ilia.

The 37-year-old underdog sent Topuria sprawling to the canvas with a vicious knee to the midsection. It was a blow from which Ilia never truly recovered. With his opponent in a compromised state, Gaethje was able to hand a variety of hard strikes to Topuria’s face.

These led to his eyes swelling up considerably, with the ringside doctor advising the referee that the fight should have been called off at the end of the third. Wanting to give Topuria every chance to succeed, official Marc Goddard allowed the previously undefeated competitor to go out for the fourth round.

As hard as he tried, Topuria wasn’t able to turn the tide and returned to his corner at the end of the round as a beaten man. Unable to see out of either eye, Ilia told his corner to end the contest as he uttered two words while sitting slumped on his stool telling his team to end the fight.

What Ilia Topuria Said to His Agent After Devastating UFC White House Setback

Amber Searls via Imagn Images

In the aftermath of his defeat, there has been much speculation about Topuria’s future, especially in view of the damage he took during the fight.

Among those to have their say was Ilia’s agent, Jose Maria Diaz, who released a statement following the bout in which he admitted he was “heartbroken”:

“I’ve been processing everything that happened and I really still don’t understand. I’m not going to lie, I am heartbroken.”

Diaz went on to reveal exactly what Topuria said to him straight after the fight. While most beaten fighters would have been complaining about bad luck during the bout or demanding a rematch, Ilia had a different concern as he shared just nine words with his representative, asking:

“Did the fans enjoy the fight? Great fight, right?”

The dramatic scrap received glowing reviews from all who watched it. UFC CEO Dana White was also hugely impressed, awarding Topuria $425,000 for his part in the Fight of the Night, in addition to his contractual pay.

Ilia will need time to heal from his injuries before deciding on his next move, although Gaethje has already seemingly ruled out a rematch between the pair.