US Open golfer hit with two-shot penalty for club-throwing offence

Joaquin Neimann was hit with a two-shot penalty for club throwing during the first round of the 126th US Open at Shinnecock Hills.

The Chilean was penalised by the USGA for what was deemed a “serious misconduct” on the sixth hole on Thursday at the Long Island venue.

His misdemeanour stemmed from hitting two shots out of bounds at what was his 15th hole of the day in the opening circuit.

Joaquin Niemann pictured during the first round of the 126th US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club | Andrew Redington/Getty Images

When the LIV Golf star finally put a ball in play, it was in the native area and he was only able to advance his next shot 112 yards before play was halted for the day because of darkness.

When Niemann returned to complete his opening round early Friday, he was assessed the two-shot penalty and made an ’11' on the hole for violating Rule 1.2b.

That states “players are expected to play in the spirit of the game by acting with integrity, showing consideration to others and taking good care of the course”.

The penalty resulted in Niemann, the world No 80, signing for an eight-over 78,but he carded a second-round 65 for a three-over total to make the cut.

“Yeah, I hit it two times out of bounds on the right, two bad swings,” he said after completing his second circuit. “Then, yeah, got pretty frustrated. I'm not someone that like to be in that behavior. I'm the first one to judge myself when I don't behave on the golf course.

“Yeah, that was a misbehave from my part. I think I'm going to learn from it. It definitely kind of helped me a little bit to have a better round today.”

In this year’s Masters, Sergio Garcia was spoken to out on the course at Augusta National after the Spaniard smashed his driver against a water cooler on the second tee.

Earlier in the week, Bob MacIntyre was also reprimanded after he’d made a one-fingered gesture in disgust after hitting a shot into the water at the 15th.

Those actions were part of a new conduct policy being implemented at all the majors this year.

After a verbal warning, a second violation leads to a two-shot penalty and the punishment for a third breach being disqualification.