SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — As the 126th U.S. Open moves through its second round at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, a clear picture is beginning to emerge of which golfers stand the best chance of hoisting the trophy come Sunday. With Wyndham Clark holding the lead and a deep, talented field still very much in the mix, here is a closer look at the three players in the strongest position to win this year’s championship.

1. Wyndham Clark — The Frontrunner With a Proven Track Record at This Event

No player has positioned himself better through the tournament’s opening stretch than Wyndham Clark, who has carried his red-hot opening round directly into the second day of play. Everyone will be chasing Wyndham Clark, who finished up a brilliant Round 1 early Friday morning, coming in with a 6-under 64. That gave him a two-shot lead as Round 2 began.

Wyndham Clark’s lead remained at three shots through much of Friday’s second round, even as he made seven straight pars to begin the round and the putts that were dropping on Thursday slid by the edges so far on Friday. So far, that hasn’t been showing up for the leaders, as Clark has relied on some tough par saves to stay at 6 under, while Dustin Johnson can’t get a putt to drop — even good ones.

Clark’s case as the favorite extends beyond his hot start this week. He has previously won the U.S. Open, giving him direct experience converting major championship pressure into a title, a quality that often proves decisive on demanding U.S. Open setups where mental composure matters as much as ball-striking.

2. Matt Fitzpatrick — A Past Champion in Strong Form

Among the small group of past U.S. Open champions chasing Clark, Matt Fitzpatrick stands out both for his title pedigree at this specific championship and for the broader strength of his 2026 season. He’s the only golfer on tour with three victories this season and was playing better than anyone before a recent so-so stretch. The 2022 U.S. Open winner is coming off back-to-back mediocre finishes in the event but is playing much better this season.

Fitzpatrick has remained squarely in contention through the championship’s early rounds. William Mouw moved into a tie for second with Matt Fitzpatrick and Dustin Johnson during Friday’s second round, keeping Fitzpatrick within striking distance of Clark’s lead.

Right behind Clark sits a host of former U.S. Open champions, including Dustin Johnson, Gary Woodland, and Matt Fitzpatrick, underscoring just how stacked the leaderboard’s upper tier has become with players who already know exactly what it takes to win this specific championship.

3. Xander Schauffele — The Betting Favorite Built for Shinnecock’s Demands

Despite not leading the tournament outright through two rounds, Xander Schauffele enters the weekend as the betting market’s top overall pick to win the championship, based on a remarkable record of sustained excellence at this specific major. Schauffele’s worst finish in nine U.S. Open starts is a tie for 14th — a remarkable run of consistency at an event that is almost impossible to fake your way around when you don’t have your best stuff. Schauffele has always been a major performer, with 19 top-10 finishes in 36 overall major starts, and while he hasn’t quite returned to the form that won him two majors in 2024, he does have back-to-back top-10 finishes to start 2026.

The case for Schauffele centers heavily on the specific demands Shinnecock Hills places on a player’s overall game. Shinnecock Hills requires the right mindset and a well-rounded game to get the job done. Schauffele has both. That combination of mental toughness and complete shot-making ability has repeatedly proven decisive at U.S. Open venues, which are widely regarded as the most demanding and unforgiving courses among the four major championships.

Other Notable Contenders to Watch

Beyond the top three, several other players remain firmly in the championship conversation heading into the weekend. Rory McIlroy — the 2026 and 2025 Masters winner — sat tied for ninth at 1 under after a gritty Round 1, leaving him within range of the leaders depending on how the weekend unfolds. McIlroy isn’t competing as much on tour as he did in the past, but it doesn’t seem to be hurting him so far. After picking up his second straight win in the Masters, he has three straight top-20 finishes.

Cameron Young has also emerged as a player to watch, particularly given the championship’s location. Young was Captain America during last year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, and the New York native is playing in front of a home crowd again this week. He has two wins and six top-10 finishes in 2026.

A surprising name has also factored into Friday’s second-round action. William Mouw, bogey-free through 11 holes with three birdies on his card, moved to 3 under for his second round and the tournament, putting him into a share of second place despite having recorded only one top-10 finish on the PGA Tour this season prior to this week.

A Punishing Course That Has Created Drama Throughout

Shinnecock Hills has lived up to its reputation as one of the most demanding venues on the major championship rotation, producing dramatic swings for several prominent players already this week. LIV’s Joaquin Niemann was assessed a two-stroke penalty after throwing his club on No. 6 during Round 1, which the USGA described as “serious misconduct” under Rule 1.2b. The club-throwing happened after Niemann made a quintuple-bogey 9 on the par-4 sixth, which was changed to a septuple-bogey 11 after the penalty. In all, he went from even par to 7 over in the span of one hole.

The course has also produced one of the tournament’s most compelling individual storylines so far, courtesy of an amateur competitor. Rising Oklahoma senior Ryder Cowan shares second place into Friday after a history-matching opening round, tying Sam Randolph’s 1986 mark for the lowest round by an amateur in a U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. “That is very cool, very cool,” Cowan said.

What Comes Next

With the cut line projected to fall somewhere in the range of 3-over to 5-over par, the weekend rounds at Shinnecock Hills are set up to deliver a genuinely wide-open championship battle. If the PGA Championship taught us anything, it is that even amid an era of professional golf catered toward the world’s best, any player can be the world’s best on any given week, a reminder that while Clark, Fitzpatrick, and Schauffele represent the strongest cases entering the weekend, Shinnecock Hills has a long history of producing champions from well outside the pre-tournament favorites list — meaning the final outcome remains very much undecided as the championship heads into its decisive closing rounds.

Anne Hathaway is expecting her third child. The “Mother Mary” star, 43, announced Friday that she and husband Adam Shulman are expecting another baby, adding to a family that already includes two young sons.

The Announcement

Hathaway shared the news in a video posted to her Instagram on Friday, June 19. Wearing a flowy white dress, Hathaway walked into the frame with her arms positioned in front of her stomach. As the song “Baby I’m Yours” by Barbara Lewis played in the background, Hathaway dropped her arms to reveal her growing baby bump. She smiled, hugged her stomach, and then ran out of frame. “x Baby, I’m yours x,” she captioned the post.

A representative for Hathaway did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the announcement.

An Already Growing Family

Hathaway and Shulman are already parents to two sons, Jonathan, 10, and Jack, 6. The couple married in 2012 and expanded their family a few years later, becoming parents in 2016 when they welcomed son Jonathan. They later added son Jack to the family in 2019.

The new pregnancy marks the next chapter for a family that Hathaway has spoken about candidly and warmly in recent interviews, describing a household dynamic that she has called one of the most fulfilling periods of her life so far.

A Recent Reflection on Family Life

This past May, Hathaway gave a rare and detailed update on life with her two sons during an interview for Elle’s Summer 2026 “The Epic Issue.” The actress, who will star as Odysseus’ wife, Penelope, in the upcoming film “The Odyssey,” described her sons as being “in this really fun zone where we all love hanging out together, which I understand may change.”

Hathaway expanded on that thought with a touch of humor, acknowledging that the closeness she currently enjoys with her children may naturally evolve as they grow older. “Well, we will always love hanging out with them, but their feelings about us might change,” she said with a laugh.

Living “So for the Moment”

Because of that awareness that family dynamics shift over time, Hathaway shared that she and Shulman have made a conscious decision to fully embrace the present moment with their children rather than worrying excessively about the future. “We’re all just in it,” she said. “Adam and I are soaking it up. I’m having the most wonderful time with my family, living in the city of my dreams, and work seems to be going really, really well.”

She added a characteristically self-aware and lighthearted observation about her current state of contentment amid broader world events. “So rather obnoxiously, I’m having a great time as everything else burns,” Hathaway said.

Motherhood as a Grounding Force

Hathaway has previously been candid about how becoming a parent reshaped her sense of identity and personal integrity in ways that extended well beyond simply raising children. Speaking with WSJ Magazine in March 2022, the actress reflected on how motherhood changed her relationship with herself.

“I didn’t feel fully landed and fully here until I was a mom,” Hathaway told the publication at the time. “It’s not like I was lacking integrity, but it made me want to be completely, on every level, true to my word.”

She elaborated further on that personal transformation, describing how motherhood pushed her to confront patterns of self-deception or compromise she may have previously allowed herself. “And that meant stopping any nonsense that I had going on inside myself,” she said. “And it’s little breaks that you give yourself sometimes when you know that you’re not being your best self.”

A Career in Full Stride Alongside Family Life

Hathaway’s pregnancy announcement arrives at a moment when her professional career also appears to be thriving, with multiple high-profile projects either recently released or currently in production. Beyond her starring role in “Mother Mary,” Hathaway is also set to appear in “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” reprising one of the most iconic roles of her career, and will take on the part of Penelope in an upcoming adaptation of “The Odyssey.”

That combination of a flourishing career and a family life she has described as deeply fulfilling appears to have created a sense of balance and contentment that Hathaway has referenced repeatedly in recent public comments, including her remarks to Elle about simply trying to stay present with her family rather than getting caught up in concerns about how those relationships might change as her children grow older.

Fan and Public Reaction

News of Hathaway’s pregnancy quickly generated significant attention and discussion online following the announcement, with the actress’s Instagram post drawing dozens of comments from fans and followers celebrating the news. The announcement continues a pattern of Hathaway sharing meaningful family milestones directly with her audience through social media, a platform she has used previously to offer glimpses into both her personal life and her reflections on parenthood.

With no further details yet shared regarding a due date or additional specifics about the pregnancy, fans and followers will likely continue watching for updates from Hathaway in the coming months as she balances her expanding family with her ongoing slate of film projects. For a star who has spoken openly about finding profound personal grounding through motherhood, the arrival of a third child appears poised to mark another significant chapter in a period of her life that she has described, by her own account, as one of genuine happiness and stability — both at home and in her career.

The Department of Justice is investigating transactions tied to a business network linked to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei that reportedly had exposure to major U.S. financial institutions, according to a Bloomberg News report.

Bloomberg reported federal investigators are examining how companies connected to Khamenei built a global investment portfolio with transactions involving Wall Street firms including JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup.

The reported probe is part of a broader Justice Department investigation into alleged money laundering and corruption involving entities tied to Khamenei, according to Bloomberg, which cited people familiar with the matter.

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JPMorgan Chase headquarters in New York City. Federal investigators are reportedly reviewing transactions tied to a business network linked to Iran’s supreme leader that involved major U.S. financial institutions. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images / Getty Images)

JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup and the Department of Justice did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ requests for comment.

Investigators are reviewing the role U.S. financial institutions may have played in processing or facilitating transactions linked to the network, though Bloomberg reported the investigation does not necessarily mean charges will be filed.

The reported inquiry comes as the Trump administration has intensified pressure on Iran and sought to crack down on sanctions evasion and illicit financial activity tied to Tehran and its leadership.

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Citigroup headquarters in New York City. The bank was named in a report on a Justice Department investigation examining transactions linked to a business network tied to Iran’s supreme leader. (Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg / Getty Images)

The investigation could place renewed scrutiny on how major financial institutions identify and monitor potentially sanctioned entities operating through complex international ownership structures and investment vehicles, a longstanding challenge for global banks and regulators.

Bloomberg reported that investigators’ primary focus is Khamenei and the network of businesses tied to him rather than the banks themselves.

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Khamenei became Iran’s supreme leader after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike. As Iran’s highest-ranking authority, he has final say over major state decisions, including foreign policy and the country’s nuclear program.

The reported investigation comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran as the administration continues to increase economic and diplomatic pressure on the Iranian regime.

Americans may see disruptions to mail delivery and post office operations on Juneteenth this year, as the federal holiday affects government services nationwide, while private shipping carriers continue largely uninterrupted — creating a split delivery schedule consumers should plan around.

The U.S. Postal Service has confirmed that it will suspend regular operations on June 19, 2026, while private carriers such as UPS and FedEx will continue largely as normal, creating a split in delivery schedules consumers should plan around.

Why This Matters

Juneteenth, observed annually on June 19, is one of 11 federal holidays. Because USPS follows the federal holiday calendar, services pause for the day, potentially delaying deliveries and business shipments. For consumers and businesses, understanding which carriers operate can help avoid missed deliveries or unexpected delays, particularly for time-sensitive packages.

What Is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day that Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved people were free more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The day has long been celebrated in Black communities and was officially recognized as a U.S. federal holiday in 2021.

Is Mail Being Delivered Today?

Regular mail delivery via USPS is not performed on Juneteenth, as it is a federal holiday observed by the Postal Service. Mail scheduled for delivery on June 19 will typically arrive on the next delivery day instead.

The Postal Service has pointed customers toward digital alternatives that remain accessible even with physical locations closed. “Customers are reminded that when Post Offices are closed, they can still access many postal products and services through usps.com and self-service kiosks available in select lobbies nationwide,” the USPS said in a release on its website. “Many self-service kiosks are available 24/7, offering customers flexibility and convenience even when Post Offices are closed.”

Is the Post Office Open Today?

USPS has confirmed that all post office locations will be closed on Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. However, some self-service kiosks and online services remain available during the closure.

These kiosks allow users to access postage printing for Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and international shipping, as well as purchase stamps. They can also weigh and mail packages in addition to tracking package information, giving customers a limited but functional set of options even with full-service locations shuttered for the day.

USPS Confirms Saturday Resumption

The Postal Service confirmed in a June 2026 announcement that all post office locations will be closed, with limited services, such as online shipping tools or kiosk access, still available during the closure. “Regular mail delivery and retail services will resume on Saturday,” the USPS wrote on its website.

That means customers expecting mail or packages through USPS on Friday should anticipate those deliveries shifting to the next business day rather than being delayed by a more extended period.

What About UPS?

UPS does not follow the federal holiday schedule in the same way as USPS. Standard delivery and pickup services generally continue on Juneteenth, according to its 2026 holiday operations calendar. Customers relying on UPS for shipping or receiving packages should not expect any disruption tied specifically to the holiday.

What About FedEx?

FedEx also typically operates normal pickup and delivery services on Juneteenth. Some specialty services or locations may have modified hours, so customers are encouraged to check locally before assuming every FedEx service will operate exactly as expected.

When Will USPS Service Resume?

USPS says regular mail delivery and retail operations will resume on Saturday, June 20, following the holiday closure. Backlogs are generally minimal, but delivery timing could vary slightly depending on volume and location.

For UPS and FedEx, no widespread pause is expected, meaning services should continue uninterrupted through the holiday period, giving customers relying on those carriers a more predictable and consistent shipping experience compared to the temporary gap in USPS operations.

Planning Around the Holiday

For anyone with time-sensitive shipping needs on Friday, the clearest path forward is straightforward: USPS-dependent mail and packages will see a one-day delay, resuming with regular delivery and retail operations on Saturday, while shipments routed through UPS or FedEx should proceed without interruption.

Customers who absolutely need to handle postal business on the holiday itself still have some limited options through USPS’s self-service kiosks and online tools, which remain operational around the clock even while physical post office counters are closed. Those digital tools can handle a meaningful range of needs — from printing postage and buying stamps to weighing and mailing packages and tracking existing shipments — without requiring a trip to a staffed retail location.

The Broader Pattern of Federal Holiday Closures

USPS’s closure on Juneteenth follows the same operational pattern the agency observes on other major federal holidays throughout the year, such as Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. As a federal agency, USPS is required to observe the official federal holiday calendar with full closures of its retail and delivery operations, a requirement that does not extend to privately operated shipping companies like UPS and FedEx.

That distinction between government-mandated closures and private business operations has become an increasingly relevant point of clarification each year since Juneteenth’s elevation to federal holiday status in 2021, as consumers continue to adjust their expectations around which services pause for the holiday and which continue without interruption.

With Saturday marking the full resumption of standard USPS delivery and retail operations, any minor delays stemming from Friday’s holiday closure should clear up quickly, particularly given that backlogs from a single-day pause tend to be minimal under normal circumstances. For customers relying on FedEx or UPS, Friday’s holiday should pass with no noticeable change to their typical shipping and delivery experience at all.