Joaquin Niemann became the first player to receive a formal penalty under the new Major Championship code of conduct after being docked two strokes for throwing his sand wedge during the 2026 US Open at Shinnecock Hills. The incident marked the initial application of the stricter regulations introduced earlier this year by the four Major tournaments to address player misconduct.

The penalty came after Niemann, a 27-year-old Chilean and LIV Golf competitor with eight wins on the rebel circuit, lost his composure late on Thursday at the sixth hole. After hitting two tee shots out of bounds and engaging in a dispute with a rules official over a free drop related to fire ants, Niemann kicked away a ball spotter’s flag and ultimately hurled his club about 50 yards, an act picked up by a nearby police officer. Despite scoring an 11 on the hole with the penalty included, Niemann managed to make the cut.

Niemann, who said he was unaware of the new code’s details prior to the penalty, acknowledged the misconduct but felt the sanction was somewhat severe. “I’m the first one to judge myself when I don’t behave on the golf course and that was a misbehave on my part but I felt like I was a little bit extra penalised,” he said. Still, he recognized the episode might prompt him to reconsider his future conduct on the course, expressing that he would not want to see players throwing clubs or behaving similarly.

The new code of conduct grants tournament officials the authority to impose warnings or two-stroke penalties for behaviors including violently throwing or kicking clubs, damaging course property, and visible or audible obscenities. This shift aims to curb increasingly frequent displays of frustration and entitlement among professional golfers, a trend noted in several recent high-profile incidents at major championships. Past examples include Bob MacIntyre’s use of profanity and gestures at Augusta National and Jon Rahm’s swearing and kicking of his driver at the same venue.

Former Ryder Cup player Paul McGinley supported the tougher stance, citing a need to reestablish boundaries that he believes have been eroded by players’ growing influence and earnings through entities like LIV and PIF. Media commentators have also pointed to the legacy of Tiger Woods in normalizing a more profane and volatile player demeanor.

While some critics suggest that the penalty on Niemann might be heavy-handed given the circumstances and limited public visibility of the incident, others welcome the enforcement measures as a necessary step toward maintaining professionalism and decorum in golf. The code’s introduction comes amid mounting calls for accountability as player actions increasingly draw public scrutiny, and tournament officials balance entertainment value with the sport’s traditional image.

Niemann’s case is expected to serve as a precedent for future disciplinary actions and may influence how other players manage their on-course emotions in the coming Majors.