Joaquin Niemann shot a final-round 66 to finish tied for seventh at the U.S. Open in Southampton, New York. The result marked his best performance in a major championship.
Niemann carded five birdies and one bogey on Sunday at Shinnecock Hills. No other player matched the score on the difficult setup.
The Chilean golfer received a two-stroke penalty for throwing a club during the first round on the par-4 sixth hole. The infraction, assessed under the new Code of Conduct, turned his actual score of nine into an 11.
Niemann said the USGA appeared to single him out compared with other incidents. He added that he was frustrated after two tee shots went out of bounds but accepted the penalty and learned from it.
After the ruling, Niemann played his next 54 holes in seven under par. Wyndham Clark won the tournament at four under.
