Joaquin Niemann hit with two-stroke penalty for club-throwing at US Open

Joaquin Niemann, the Chilean LIV Golf star, became the first player penalized under the USGA's new code of conduct at a major championship after throwing his club in frustration during the first round of the US Open at Shinnecock Hills.

The incident occurred on the par-4 sixth hole, where Niemann hit two tee shots out of bounds. After eventually reaching the green, he tossed his iron approximately 50 yards in anger, prompting officials to assess two penalty strokes under Rule 1.2b for serious misconduct.

The penalty and its impact

The penalty turned what was already a disastrous hole into a quintuple-bogey nine, leaving Niemann to card an eight-over 78 in the opening round. The USGA confirmed that the two-stroke penalty was issued after he threw his club from the native area, where his sixth shot had landed just 112 yards from the pin.

• Niemann is the first golfer penalized under the new code of conduct introduced for the 2026 majors.
• The rule allows committees to impose one-stroke or general penalties for misconduct, with possible disqualification for serious offenses.
• Robert MacIntyre and Sergio Garcia received warnings under the same code at the Masters earlier this year.
• Niemann entered the US Open seeking his first major title.

A volunteer, Tristan Chang, told The Athletic that Niemann also kicked a flag marker and had to retrieve his club with the help of a police officer after the throw. Despite a better start in the second round, Niemann faces a battle to make the cut at Long Island.

What's next

Niemann will need a strong second-round finish to avoid missing the cut. The new code of conduct remains a talking point in golf, with players and officials closely watching its enforcement at future majors.