“Joaquin Niemann penalized for misconduct recovers with a round of 65 at the U.S. Open.”

Joaquin Niemann has just made history in the world of golf for the worst reasons, becoming the first player penalized with two strokes for “serious misconduct” in a major — but he responded brilliantly with one of the best rounds of the tournament. The Chilean, currently 27 years old and competing for LIV Golf, rebounded from an unprecedented disciplinary scandal to card an impressive 65 (-5) in the second round of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, thereby securing his place in the weekend.

The incident occurred on Thursday during the first round when Niemann, visibly frustrated after successive disastrous shots on the sixth hole, threw his sand wedge about 50 meters, shortly after kicking a white marking flag. This act of uncontrolled behavior, witnessed by several volunteers and the public, resulted in an unprecedented two-stroke penalty under the new Rule 1.2b, applied for the first time in a major to punish unsportsmanlike conduct. The player was only informed of the decision after submitting his scorecard, finishing the opening round with a disastrous 78 (+8), including an unbelievable 11 on that hole.

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The importance of this episode goes far beyond individual punishment: it is a clear signal that golf authorities are tightening the enforcement of conduct rules, even in historic events like the U.S. Open. The decision, made by the rules committee after a detailed analysis, aims to serve as an example and curb behaviors that could tarnish the sport’s image. For Niemann, this incident could mark a turning point in his career, not only due to the disciplinary blemish but also because of how he managed to bounce back immediately afterward.

In statements made after the second round, Niemann did not hide his discomfort with the punishment. “Yes, it was wrong behavior on my part,” admitted the Chilean on Friday, referring to the throwing of the club. “I felt that I was penalized a bit more than I expected with this two-stroke penalty, but it is what it is. I think I will learn from this. In a way, it even helped me to play a better round today.” The player also explained that the frustration grew after two consecutive drives went out of bounds, followed by a referee’s refusal to grant him relief due to fire ants, and that he could not control his nerves: “All the frustration that built up inside me and I had the club in my hand, I couldn’t resist throwing it.”

Volunteer Tristan Chang, present at the scene, described the moment to the press: “It was an impressive throw,” he commented, referring to the distance the club was thrown. After being approached by a referee shortly before the second round, Niemann revealed that he was unaware of the new rule: “I knew I had behaved badly, but I feel like everyone has had some bad behavior, and it never results in something as severe as a two-stroke penalty, you know?” Despite trying to argue, the committee’s decision was irreversible. He had only 37 minutes to compose himself before returning to the course and, according to him, “it took me about 30 minutes to get over it, another two minutes to hit some tee shots, two putts, and I went back to the course.”

Niemann’s response was noteworthy: he opened the second round with two birdies and made five birdies in the first six holes, posting one of the best scores of the day and becoming the first player in nearly 100 years to make the cut at a U.S. Open after scoring 10 or worse in one of the first two rounds—a feat only matched by Bill Mehlhorn in 1929. “Everything was working. I hit great drives,” said the Chilean, explaining that he approached the round with a very aggressive mindset, which ultimately paid off.

What lies ahead for Niemann is a decisive test: he will have to prove that his recovery was not just an emotional boost, but the beginning of a new competitive and disciplined approach. The impact of this penalty could serve as a warning for all professionals at a time when golf seeks to balance spectacle and integrity. The Chilean now enters the U.S. Open weekend under the spotlight, determined to turn his mistake into an opportunity for redemption and, who knows, to surprise even more in one of the most challenging tournaments in the world.

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