Joaquin Niemann Hit With Two-Stroke Penalty at LIV Mayakoba

The tournament leader was penalized for an improper drop during Saturday’s second round.

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico — Tournament leader Joaquin Niemann was assessed a two-stroke penalty on Sunday for failing to take a proper drop during Saturday’s second round of the LIV Golf Mayakoba event.

Niemann saw his lead in the individual competition reduced to two strokes over Jon Rahm and Dean Burmester.

According to the LIV Golf League, Niemann’s drop in the 13th hole from a cart path was outside of the one club length allowed. The rules staff became aware of issue Saturday night

“After reviewing the drop with Joaquin on Sunday morning prior to the Final Round, it was determined that he had played from a Wrong Place after taking relief incorrectly,” LIV Golf said in a statement. “Joaquin failed to drop within his one-club length relief area. The penalty for playing the ball from a Wrong Place is The General Penalty (2 Strokes) under Rules 14.7a. Under the Exception in Rule 3.3b(3), the Rules Committee revised Joaquin’s score for Round Two to include the 2-Stroke Penalty on Hole 13 from a 5 to 7.”

Niemann enters the final round at 11 under par, with Rahm and Burmester at 9 under. Sergio Garcia is fourth at 7 under par.