Chilean golfer Joaquin Niemann was penalized two strokes for misconduct during the 2026 US Open at Shinnecock Hills, marking the first time the Major Championship code of conduct has been enforced to its full extent. The penalty stemmed from Niemann’s decision to throw his sand wedge in frustration after a series of setbacks on the course, an incident that has raised questions about player behavior and disciplinary measures in professional golf.

The incident occurred late Thursday at the sixth hole, where Niemann struggled through a difficult sequence. After hitting two tee shots out of bounds and engaging in a dispute with a rules official over whether he was entitled to a free drop due to the presence of fire ants, Niemann’s temper boiled over. He kicked away a ball spotter's flag meant to assist in locating his ball and eventually threw his club approximately 50 yards. A police officer later retrieved the club and returned it to him.

Niemann, 27, expressed surprise at being the first player found guilty of “serious misconduct” under the recently introduced code, saying he was unaware of the new regulations. “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 remarked. Nonetheless, the LIV Golf star acknowledged the penalty might prompt him to reconsider his on-course conduct. “I think I’m going to learn from it. I wouldn’t be happy seeing players throwing clubs and behaving that way,” he added.

The code of conduct was implemented by the four Major championships this year in an effort to curb on-course misconduct after previous incidents, including controversial moments involving Sergio Garcia and Bob MacIntyre at the Masters, had only been met with warnings. Niemann’s penalty, replacing cautionary responses with more severe sanctions, signals a shift toward stricter enforcement.

While moments of frustration and unplanned outbursts can add to viewers’ entertainment, golf authorities stress the importance of maintaining professionalism and setting a positive example for fans and aspiring players. Niemann’s outburst, described as one of the more serious club tosses in recent memory, resulted in an 11 on the hole after the addition of the penalty strokes, but he managed to make the tournament cut.

The decision to impose sanctions under the new code of conduct is seen by some as a necessary measure to uphold the integrity of the game, especially as player emotions can run high in major tournaments. Whether this enforcement will deter further displays of petulance remains to be seen, but Niemann’s case underscores the growing willingness of officials to take disciplinary action when standards are breached.