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36m ago

USGA Upholds Two‑Stroke Penalty for Joaquin Niemann Under New Conduct Rule

This decision forces the majors to clarify how Rule 1.2b will be applied going forward.

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An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Golfer Joaquín Niemann swings a driver during the 126th U.S. Open, Image 2 shows A male golfer in a white cap and blue shirt bends over, watching his golf club fly in the air after a shot, with a scoreboard visible on the right, Image 3 shows A man in a blue suit and purple paisley tie speaks, with a golf course at night in the background

Overview

  • The USGA announced a two‑stroke penalty for Joaquin Niemann for throwing a club on the par‑4 sixth, ruling the act constituted "serious misconduct" under Rule 1.2b.
  • The penalty, applied after Niemann completed a weather‑delayed opening round, converted his 9 on the hole into an 11 and was confirmed by USGA officials.
  • Eyewitness reporting said Niemann kicked a marker, disturbed sand and threw his sand wedge roughly 50 yards, but no video of the incident is publicly available and the USGA released only a brief statement.
  • Coaches, commentators and fans criticized the ruling as inconsistent after other visible outbursts received lesser or no public discipline, and Niemann’s coach called the decision arbitrary.
  • Niemann accepted the ruling, rebounded with a second‑round 65 to make the cut, and the episode has amplified calls for clearer rules, uniform enforcement and greater transparency across the four major championships.