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Niemann Penalized Two Strokes for Club Throw at U.S. Open

6/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Joaquin Niemann was penalized two strokes at U.S. Open, the first under the 2026 code for a club-throw.
The sanction came after officials denied fire-ant relief, prompting him to kick the flag, grass, then throw his club.
Volunteer Tristan Chang said Niemann hurled the club over 50 yards, calling it ‘pretty impressive.’
Niemann still made five birdies on the front nine, moving to four-under and one shot from the cut.

History

Historical Context

The USGA’s two-stroke penalty for rule infractions has been a core element of the code, reaffirmed in the 2017 USGA-R&A rewrite that took effect in 2019. In 2026 the organization applied the same two-stroke sanction to Joaquin Niemann, echoing the long-standing disciplinary approach that governs modern U.S. Open play during the championship.

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Story summary

Joaquin Niemann was penalized two strokes at U.S. Open, the first under the 2026 code for a club-throw.
The sanction came after officials denied fire-ant relief, prompting him to kick the flag, grass, then throw his club.
Volunteer Tristan Chang said Niemann hurled the club over 50 yards, calling it ‘pretty impressive.’
Niemann still made five birdies on the front nine, moving to four-under and one shot from the cut.

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