Details behind LIV golfer's childish U.S. Open temper tantrum that led to penalty

[ASFN Admin]

If you looked at Joaquin Niemann's score on No. 6 on Thursday at the U.S. Open, you would notice a number that is absolutely NOT a typo: He carded an 11 on the par-4, and it's partially because the LIV Golf star reportedly threw a huge tantrum that included a two-stroke penalty.

Per reporting from The Athletic's Gabby Herzig, a volunteer saw Niemann throw a club on the hole, which is what triggered the two-shot penalty. But he also "Got visibly angry and kicked the white flag that another volunteer used to mark his ball" and "almost did not walk back for the club until a police officer delivered it to him."

Just talked to a volunteer, Tristan Chang, who witnessed Joaquin Niemann’s club throw that cost him a two-shot penalty:

-After hitting two balls OB, Niemann tried to get free relief from fire ants (to no avail) from where his third drive ended up in the fescue
-Got visibly…

— Gabby Herzig (@GabbyHerzig) June 19, 2026

Come on, man. That's ridiculous.

What was the rules violation that caused Joaquin Niemann to be penalized?​

Per Golfweek, this is a new rule that's been implemented:

According to the rule, "if a player’s (or their caddie’s) behavior is so far removed from what is expected in the spirit of the game of golf, in accordance with Rule 1.2b, the Chief Referee, in consultation with the Championship Director, may apply a penalty of two strokes or disqualification, taking account of the frequency, impact, intent and severity of the misconduct."

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Joaquin Niemann U.S. Open penalty details came from temper tantrum

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