Full Breakdown
Joaquin Niemann Receives Two-Shot Penalty for Club Throw at 2026 U.S. Open
6/20/2026, 2:16:56 AM
Incident Overview
During the opening round of the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, Chilean LIV Golf player Joaquín Niemann threw his sand-wedge after a series of errant shots on the par-4 sixth hole. The USGA classified the act as “serious misconduct” under Rule 1.2b and added two penalty strokes, turning a quintuple-bogey 9 into an 11. Niemann finished the round 78 (+8) and later posted a 65 (-5) in round 2.
Recent Conduct Policy
The penalty follows a new code of conduct adopted by the four major championships in 2026. Developed jointly by the USGA, R&A, PGA of America and the DP World Tour, the policy escalates from a warning to a two-stroke penalty and, for a third violation, disqualification. Officials applied the “serious misconduct” provision because the behavior was deemed “so far removed from what is expected in the spirit of the game.”
Players and Organizations Involved
- Joaquín Niemann – 27-year-old Chilean, LIV Golf captain, ranked 80th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
- USGA – Tournament-organising body enforcing Rule 1.2b.
- Kerry Haigh, chief competitions officer, PGA of America – explained the policy’s intent.
- Mark Darbon, CEO, R&A – noted similar standards will appear at The Open.
Chronology of the Sixth Hole
- June 18, evening – First tee shot OB right; second tee shot OB right; third shot lands in native grass.
- After third shot – Niemann asks a rules official for fire-ant relief; request denied.
- Subsequent moment – He kicks the flag marking his ball, kicks sand, then hurls his club ? 50 yd.
- Play suspended – Darkness halts the round.
- June 19, morning – USGA announces two-stroke penalty; Niemann signs his card.
Scores and Penalties
- Original sixth-hole score: 9 (quintuple bogey).
- Penalty added: +2 strokes -> 11 (septuple bogey).
- Round 1 total: 78 (+8).
- After round 2, 36-hole total: 143 (+3), three strokes inside the projected cut line (-4 to -5).
Implications for the Tournament
Niemann became the first player penalized under the 2026 conduct code at a major, setting a precedent for future enforcement. The sanction altered his leaderboard position, forcing a strong round 2 to stay within the cut. The incident also signals that governing bodies will sanction high-profile players, including those from LIV Golf.
Official Statements & Responses
- USGA press release: “Joaquín Niemann was assessed two penalty strokes for throwing a club on the 6th hole during Round 1. This act was determined to be serious misconduct under Rule 1.2b.”
- Kerry Haigh (PGA of America): The rule “is for the good of the game… to ensure everyone behaves appropriately, professionally, and as we would want our children and people watching to see.”
- Mark Darbon (R&A): A similar code will be introduced at The Open, reflecting a “fine line” between passion and misconduct.
Criticism & Opposition
Fans and commentators questioned the consistency of the sanction, noting past club-throw incidents by players such as Rory McIlroy that received no penalty. Some social-media users accused the USGA of bias against a LIV Golf player. Former pro Andrew Coltart defended the decision, arguing that “if they don’t clamp down on it you embolden that display and it does not do anybody any good.”
On-the-Ground Reports
Volunteer Tristan Chang (The Athletic) described the scene: “He kicked the white flag, kicked the sand, and then proceeded to chuck his iron about 50 yards to the edge of the course.” The same volunteer called the throw “pretty impressive.” No video of the incident has been released.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on whether the club was thrown Thursday night after the sixth-hole shots or Friday morning after play resumed. The USGA statement does not specify the exact moment, and no broadcast footage exists to confirm the timing.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I was playing good golf. I got expectations. I would like to win this tournament, as anybody here,” — Joaquín Niemann
- “I’m not proud of it, but yeah, I mean, sometimes, you know, all the expectation of trying to play well and things doesn’t go your way, you get frustrated, and that was me there.” — Joaquín Niemann
- “I wasn't angry asking him.” — Joaquín Niemann
- “They considered with the whole committee that it was a right decision to give me a two-shot penalty.” — Joaquín Niemann
- “Joaquin Niemann was assessed two penalty strokes for throwing a club on the 6th hole during Round 1. This act was determined to be serious misconduct under Rule 1.2b.” — USGA
What’s Next
The USGA will continue to monitor player conduct throughout the U.S. Open, and the R&A plans to roll out a comparable code at The Open later in 2026. Niemann’s performance in the remaining rounds will determine whether the penalty ultimately affects his major-championship prospects.
