Joaquin Niemann receives two‑stroke misconduct penalty at US Open

Chile’s 27‑year‑old LIV Golf player Joaquin Niemann was assessed a two‑stroke penalty for throwing his club on the par‑4 sixth hole during the first round of the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. The USGA ruled the act a "serious misconduct" under Rule 1‑2b, turning an even‑par start into an 8‑over‑par round and dropping Niemann from a tie for 17th to well down the leaderboard.

The tournament has been marked by difficult conditions, with the USGA loosening green speeds and winds reaching up to 30 mph. A number of high‑profile golfers, including Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka, missed the cut, while the leaderboard after moving day showed Wyndham Clark leading at –7. Niemann’s incident added to a day of dramatic swings for many competitors.