Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 19
Joaquín Niemann Draws 2-Stroke U.S. Open Penalty After Throwing Iron 50 Yards
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 19

Joaquín Niemann Draws 2-Stroke U.S. Open Penalty After Throwing Iron 50 Yards

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 19

Summary

  • The USGA hit Joaquín Niemann with a two-stroke penalty after ruling he committed serious misconduct by throwing an iron about 50 yards on the sixth hole at the U.S. Open.
  • Two drives out of bounds and a denied request for fire-ant relief triggered the outburst, with a volunteer saying Niemann also kicked a white flag and sand before flinging the club into fescue.
  • Rule 1.2b was cited for the penalty, and Niemann took an 11 on the hole during the incident at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York.
  • Niemann recovered in the next round with 7 birdies, a rebound that likely kept him in position to make the weekend.

Insights

After repeated controversies, can the USGA be trusted to prepare a fair and challenging U.S. Open course?
Why is an athlete's outburst penalized while a city's chaotic fan celebration is accepted as part of victory?
Is golf's strict new conduct policy protecting the game's spirit, or is it punishing human emotion?