Surratt gains confidence after first major start at 2026 U.S. Open
Legion XIII’s Caleb Surratt not only made the cut in his first major; he felt like he belonged on one of golf’s biggest stages
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. – Caleb Surratt closed out his first major championship Sunday with a final-round 74, finishing the week T63 at 13 over. The number wasn't where he wanted it to land.
The week, in his own words, was something else entirely.
"It was a great week," Surratt said. "I was very fortunate to have a very good opportunity to go play great this weekend and unfortunately didn't take advantage of it. I felt like I played really well, but just didn't score my best, and just have to clean up a few areas that got exposed this week."
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What Surratt took from his major championship debut wasn't about the scorecard. It was about how he carried himself across four days at one of the most demanding venues in golf.
"A massive takeaway is that I feel like I belong out here," Surratt said. "I felt very comfortable playing, and if I can continue to clean stuff up and get more comfortable, I think I can contend out here."
Asked what single lesson he'd carry into his next major, Surratt didn't point to a swing thought or a strategic adjustment. He pointed to his composure.
"Just the poise," he said. "I felt like I had a lot of nerves early in the week, and I don't really feel like I need that. I felt very at home this week. I actually felt a bit calmer out here than in tournaments I've been in recently. I think it's just the sense of wanting to play well but feeling like I put the work in and belong to be out here. I was very pleased, and yeah, I think at the next major it'll probably be a lot more freeing."
