Niemann Penalized Two Strokes for Club Toss at US Open

Chilean golfer Joaquin Niemann faced a two-stroke penalty during his opening round at the US Open on Friday, following an incident on the par-four sixth hole at Shinnecock Hills. The penalty was imposed after Niemann threw his club in frustration, a move deemed “serious misconduct” by tournament officials.

Incident on the Sixth Hole

Niemann’s troubles began on the notoriously challenging sixth hole, where he hit two drives out of bounds before missing the green on his approach shot. The windy conditions at the Southampton course added to the difficulties faced by competitors. Following his erratic performance, Niemann tossed his club, prompting the penalty. He ultimately recorded a septuple bogey on the hole and finished the round with an eight-over par 78.

Reflecting on the incident, Niemann acknowledged his frustration, stating that he does not typically engage in such behavior on the golf course. He expressed a desire to learn from the experience, noting that the penalty felt excessive but was a part of the game.

Tournament Progress and Niemann’s Performance

Despite the setback, Niemann rebounded in the subsequent rounds, finishing at three-over par after carding a five-under par 65 on Friday. His ability to recover demonstrates resilience, a quality essential for success in high-stakes tournaments.

Meanwhile, Wyndham Clark emerged as a frontrunner, building a four-shot lead heading into the weekend at seven under par. Clark’s performance has been notably steady, following a six-under-par 64 in the first round with a one-under-par 69 in the second.

Leaderboard Dynamics

As the tournament progressed, several notable players found themselves in contention. Two-time major winner Xander Schauffele, 2022 champion Matt Fitzpatrick, American Sam Stevens, and South Korea’s Tom Kim shared the second spot on the leaderboard at three under par. Schauffele’s consistent play included a single bogey on the par-five fifth hole, while Fitzpatrick managed to avoid disaster with two birdies in the final three holes.

Clark’s strategy has focused on conservative play, particularly on the challenging greens. He noted that maintaining a conservative approach has paid off, even as he faced difficulties late in his round, including a bogey on the par-five 16th.

Challenges for Top Contenders

Pre-tournament favorites Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy found themselves struggling to keep pace, sitting seven shots off the lead in a tie for 11th place at even par. McIlroy expressed optimism, indicating that the course could present opportunities for those trailing.

Scheffler, aiming to complete the career Grand Slam of golf’s four majors, acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the course. He managed to drain a nearly 41-foot putt for birdie on the par-four 15th, contributing to his overall score of 68.

High-Profile Struggles

The tournament has also seen significant challenges for several high-profile players. Dustin Johnson, a former champion and Clark’s playing partner, experienced a dramatic fall from grace after an impressive opening round. Johnson’s score ballooned to a seven-over-par 77, marked by three bogeys, a double bogey, and a quadruple bogey.

Other notable players, including Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, also missed the cut, along with defending champion J.J. Spaun and Australian Adam Scott, who was competing in his 100th consecutive major. The cut line was set at four over par, allowing 67 professionals and five amateurs to advance.

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Published on 2026-06-20 09:21:00 • By the Editorial Desk