LIV Golf’s Joaquin Niemann was hit with a two-stroke penalty at the 2026 U.S. Open after the USGA deemed a club throw on the sixth hole “serious misconduct.”
For Joaquin Niemann, Thursday at Shinnecock Hills started with misfortune—and then turned into a rules moment that now comes with a two-stroke mark.
During the first round of the 126th U.S. Open, Niemann faced the par 4 No. 6 and threw a club after trouble in the native area. The USGA determined the incident qualified as “serious misconduct” under its on-course behavior rule. applied in this year’s rulebook framework. As a result, Niemann was assessed a two-stroke penalty.
The scoreboard didn’t just reflect the penalty—it captured the scramble that led to it. Niemann’s first two tee shots found the native area, and his ball wasn’t in play until his fifth shot. By the time his opening round was over, the 27-year-old from Chile signed for an 11—an 8-over 78.
He also became the first player to be penalized under the USGA’s new rule on on-course behavior. The rule states that if a player’s (or their caddie’s) behavior is so far removed from what is expected in the spirit of the game of golf. as described under Rule 1.2b. the Chief Referee—after consulting the Championship Director—may apply a penalty of two strokes or disqualification. The decision can take into account the frequency, impact, intent and severity of the misconduct.
The incident landed at a moment of transition in Niemann’s career. Before switching to LIV Golf after the 2022 season, he was among the PGA Tour’s most promising young players. While he has eight individual LIV Golf tournament wins—more than anyone else in its history—his results in major championships have not matched that dominance. He has just one career top-10 finish.
The sequence of facts on Thursday also set the stakes for what comes next. With the cut line looming at the U.S. Open, he began Friday’s second round needing momentum, and he did not start quietly. Niemann opened his second round with five birdies on his first six holes as he tried to make the cut for the weekend and potentially work his way back into contention.
Elsewhere at Shinnecock Hills, tournament preparation has also been shaped by how the course is behaving. Rory McIlroy discussed Thursday’s course setup and said, “The greens are pretty slow and quite receptive.”
Joaquin Niemann 2026 U.S. Open Shinnecock Hills USGA penalty club throw LIV Golf PGA Tour Rule 1.2b Chief Referee Championship Director Rory McIlroy
Two strokes for throwing a club? That seems like a bit much, but I guess rules are rules.
Wait so he threw a club in the native area and that counts as serious misconduct?? Golf has the weirdest penalties. Also Rory said the greens are slow like that matters for the drama lol.
Is this the new “on-course behavior” thing where the chief referee can just do whatever? Like who even decides “spirit of the game” and impact and all that… feels kinda subjective.
I don’t follow golf super close, but wasn’t Niemann already in trouble before because of LIV? So this penalty is basically because he’s LIV, right? Either way throwing a club seems like normal frustration, not “serious misconduct,” unless I missed something. Also that scorecard part, like how did it take 5 shots just to get back in play??