U.S. Open: LIV star given two-shot penalty for throwing golf club in anger

Tournament organisers of the U.S. Open have given Joaquin Niemann a two-shot penalty for throwing a golf club in anger during the first round of the third men's major of the year. 

Niemann carded an eight-over 78 at Shinnecock Hills on Thursday, with three bogeys, two birdies and a damaging septuple-bogey nine on the par-four sixth

However, the score was later changed to an 11 after USGA officials determined the Chilean, 27, was guilty of 'serious misconduct' for throwing his golf club in anger. 

USGA officials handed Niemann the two-shot penalty under Rule 1.2b. 

Under a recently agreed new code of conduct, Niemann would've already been warned for a previous outburst. 

Video footage of the incident is yet to surface, but shot tracking shows Niemann hit two drives out of bounds at the sixth. 

The Ahtletic's Gabby Herzig spoke to a volunteer, Tristan Chang, who witnessed the incident. 

According to Chang, Niemann hit two drives out of bounds then tired - and failed - to get free relief from fire ants. 

His third drive ended up in the knee-high fescue. 

Chang said Niemann got visibly angry and kicked a white flag another volunteer used to mark his ball. 

From there, he proceeded to chuck his iron from the fescue area approximately 50 yards to the edge of the course. 

A police officer reportedly returned Niemann's club. 

The PGA Tour's official website reported Niemann lobbed his club after coming up short with his approach. 

Niemann, who started on the back nine, played his final three holes in one-over to sign for a 78 and is now in danger of missing the cut. 

He did not address the incident after his round. 

Niemann began the second round strongly with back-to-back birdies, but he dropped a shot at the third to slip back to seven-over for the tournament. 

He is one of 13 LIV Golf players in the field at the 2026 U.S. Open. 

Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau were among the LIV contingent to start brightly. 

Niemann, a former PGA Tour winner, is making his seventh career start at the U.S. Open, with his best finish (T23) at Winged Foot in 2020. 

What is the new code of conduct?

In April, it was revealed that players guilty of on-course misconduct could receive two-shot penalties and even disqualification under a new code of conduct.

The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open and The Open have all agreed to implement it and is expected the PGA and DP World Tour will also adopt it. 

The aim is to crack down on on-course outbursts and unsportsmanlike behaviour. 

Players are given a warning for their first offence, a two-shot penalty for their second and are ultimately disqualified if they are told three times. 

Under Rule 1.2b, competitors are required to act with 'integrity, show consideration for others and take care of the course'. 

Examples of conduct that triggers penalties include:

• Club smashing or damaging the course.
• Abusive or obscene gestures.
• Throwing clubs or equipment.
• Conduct that reflects poorly on the championship.
• Other behaviour deemed contrary to the spirit of the game

There have been two-high profile incidents in the men's major season in 2026.

Sergio Garcia was reprimanded by Augusta National officials at the Masters after the former green jacket winner damaged a tee box following an errant drive. 

The Spaniard later broke his club in two on a nearby water cooler. 

Garcia initially dismissed the incident but later apologised, taking full responsibility for his actions. 

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre also drew the ire of the green jackets in the Masters for directing a middle finger towards the 15th green during his calamitous first round of 80 at Augusta. 

Jon Rahm also accidentally hit a volunteer in the face with a divot during the 2026 PGA Championship. 

After a poor approach at Aronimink's seventh hole, Rahm made an air swing in frustration. 

Instead, his club caught the turf, sending a chunk of grass flying and hitting a nearby volunteer in the shoulder and face. 

Rahm immediately apologised and later told reporters the incident was inexcusable. 

He escaped a warning, as the PGA of America determined his actions were accidental. 

R&A chief executive confirmed to BBC Sport in April that Open officials will be keeping a close eye on player misconduct at Royal Birkdale next month. 

"I think first and foremost, you want passion," Darbon told the publication. 

"You want passion from players, you want passion from spectators, but there's a fine line, and one of the amazing things about this sport are the values and integrity that underpin it.

"So we will watch that line very closely. We, like many of the other major events, are looking to implement a new code of conduct policy that will be in place this summer here at Royal Birkdale.

"And it will give us another measure by which to help influence and control that behaviour."