Joaquin Niemann has spoken out after being hit with a two-shot penalty during the opening round of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, admitting his frustration got the better of him during a disastrous stretch of play.
The LIV Golf star found himself at the center of controversy after tournament officials ruled that his actions on the sixth hole amounted to serious misconduct under Rule 1.2b, resulting in a two-shot penalty being added to his score.
Niemann’s opening-round 78 was subsequently adjusted to an 80 after the USGA reviewed the incident and determined disciplinary action was warranted.
Breaking his silence following the ruling, Niemann expressed disappointment in his behavior and accepted responsibility for the incident.
“It was a frustrating moment, and unfortunately I let my emotions get the best of me,” Niemann said. “That’s not the way I want to conduct myself on the golf course, and I accept the decision that was made.”
The Chilean golfer endured a nightmare sequence on the sixth hole after multiple shots found trouble, leaving him visibly frustrated as his round began to unravel.
According to reports from the course, Niemann hit two drives out of bounds before encountering further difficulties in the thick fescue. Witnesses stated that he later threw a club during the incident, triggering a review by tournament officials.
While the penalty further damaged his chances of contending at the championship, Niemann insisted he remains focused on moving forward.
“Obviously I’m disappointed because every shot matters at a U.S. Open, but I can’t change what happened. All I can do is learn from it and focus on the next opportunity,” he added.
The incident comes during the first season of golf’s stricter player conduct policy, which allows officials to issue warnings, penalties and even disqualifications for behavior deemed contrary to the spirit of the game.
Niemann’s case quickly became one of the highest-profile applications of the new policy at a major championship.
Despite the setback, several players and analysts noted that the pressure and difficulty of Shinnecock Hills can test even the most composed competitors.
Niemann entered the week as one of LIV Golf’s strongest hopes after enjoying an impressive season and establishing himself as one of the game’s most consistent performers.
The former PGA Tour winner remains determined to put the controversy behind him and focus on his golf.
“I have a lot of respect for this championship, the fans, and the game itself,” Niemann said. “I made a mistake in the heat of the moment, and now it’s about responding the right way.”
Whether the penalty ultimately costs him a place in the weekend field remains to be seen, but Niemann’s comments suggest he is eager to move past the incident and return the focus to his performance on the course.
For now, however, the LIV Golf star finds himself at the center of one of the most talked-about stories from this year’s U.S. Open.