League: PGA Tour Sport: Golf Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Ryder Cowan leads U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills during first major start

Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 18, 2026, 9:05 PM

Last updated Jun 18, 2026

Ryder Cowan leads U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills during first major start

Summary

Amateur golfer Ryder Cowan is currently leading the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, marking his first appearance in a major championship. After finishing Thursday's round at 3 under par, Cowan's performance places him solo atop the leaderboard, a significant milestone as it's been 50 years since an amateur last achieved this after a round at the U.S. Open. Cowan, a rising senior at Oklahoma and two-time All-American, has excelled in collegiate golf, and he advanced to this event through final qualifying. As one of 20 amateurs in the field, he aims for a strong finish as he approaches his senior season and the hunt for a PGA Tour card via PGA Tour University.

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By the Numbers

•Cowan graduated from Oklahoma Christian School and won state championships in high school.
•He reached 3 under par after a birdie on the par-3 17th hole.
•Cowan finished the NCAA season ranked 14th and was a Haskins finalist.
•He aims for a PGA Tour card as he enters his senior season at Oklahoma.

Latest Updates

5:17 PMYahoo Sports — In first U.S. Open start, Ryder Cowan in hunt for low amateur honors at Shinnecock Hills
4:59 PMYahoo Sports — Who is Ryder Cowan? Meet the amateur who made the cut at the U.S. Open
1:46 AMYahoo Sports — Amateur Ryder Cowan takes early lead, tied for second at U.S. Open
1:29 AMYahoo Sports — Amateur Ryder Cowan takes the early lead and is tied for second in a strong US Open debut
9:39 PMYahoo Sports — Who is Ryder Cowan? U.S. Open amateur came through qualifying to lead at Shinnecock Hills
9:05 PMYahoo Sports — Who is Ryder Cowan? Amateur leading 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills

What they're saying

"
Midway through his round Thursday, the leaderboard showed that the amateur was playing the best golf of anyone at Shinnecock Hills. Cowan, a 21-year-old who will be a senior at Oklahoma, briefly held the lead in his first major championship before finishing with a 2-under 68, matching the lowest round by an amateur at Shinnecock. “Through nine, I looked up and I was 3-under par,” Cowan said.
— Yahoo Sportsby BRIAN MAHONEY

"
Ryder Cowan knew he was playing good golf coming into the U.S. Open. Midway through his round Thursday, the leaderboard showed that the amateur was playing the best golf of anyone at Shinnecock Hills.
— Yahoo Sports