Niemann handed U.S. Open penalty for serious | Golf News

LIV Golf star Joaquin Niemann obtained a two-stroke penalty for throwing a membership on the sixth gap during the first spherical of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.

Making his seventh U.S. Open look, Niemann carded an 11 on the par-four sixth gap at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, including the two-stroke penalty. After driving two balls out of bounds to the best, he finally completed the fog-delayed first spherical with an eight-over-par 78.

The club-throwing incident was ruled “serious misconduct” under Rule 1.2b, which grants the committee authority to set up and implement its own code of conduct. The ruling comes amid separate controversy, as Scottie Scheffler’s caddie was reported to have yelled at U.S. Open marshals during a pivotal second in the opening spherical. Niemann had missed out on the Masters earlier this yr.

Rule 1.2a additional outlines the anticipated requirements of participant habits, stipulating that gamers must compete in the spirit of the sport by demonstrating integrity, exhibiting consideration for others, and respecting the course. The rule also grants the committee authority to disqualify any participant whose conduct is deemed opposite to the spirit of the sport.

Niemann ranked among the top three in the 2025 LIV Golf particular person standings prior to the match. Before his transfer to LIV, he secured his second PGA Tour title at the 2022 Genesis Invitational at The Riviera Country Club, defeating Collin Morikawa and Cameron Young by two strokes.

Niemann has develop into the first golfer to be penalized for violating the new code of conduct coverage applied for the 2026 major tournaments. The code of conduct coverage has already been a contentious matter this yr, with Sergio Garcia and Robert MacIntyre both receiving warnings at the Masters match this yr due to minor outbursts.

“If a player does something egregious, then, unfortunately, we would give a warning to that player,” Kerry Haigh, the PGA of America’s chief championships officer, explained. And if they have been to do it again, there could be a two-shot penalty.

“We’ve been working closely with the organizers of the other Majors and the tours more broadly,” R&A CEO Mark Darbon said earlier this yr. I might count on to see a comparable coverage launched this summer season.”

Niemann has yet to secure a major title, and his strongest performance at a U.S. Open came at Winged Foot Golf Club in 2020, where he finished T-23.

“It’s just half of the method,” said Niemann just ahead of the 2026 competition, referring to the U.S. Open tournament.

“I feel we’re right here proper now just focusing on the method that I’m doing. I’m committing to my pictures and really feel – getting a good really feel of the course, of the wind, what are the challenges for this week, and then we go from there and then the next week, and go ahead like that.”

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy was confirmed proper about Long Island followers after U.S. Open treatment.