From McIlroy’s phone snatch to Siem’s drunken course record — a look back at golf’s most bizarre moments of 2025.
Golf is typically a sport of etiquette and calm, but 2025 brought its fair share of strange and hilarious moments. From forgotten ball markers and drunken heroics to bizarre shots and high-stakes bets, here are the quirkiest golf stories of the year.
Rory McIlroy confiscates a fan’s phone
During a practice round ahead of the Players Championship, Rory McIlroy was interrupted by a fan shouting during his swing. In response, McIlroy asked for the fan’s phone, walked off with it across the fairway, and handed it over to tournament officials. The fan got his phone back — but not his seat at the tournament. Read more.
Marcel Siem’s drunken course record
Playing golf drunk is usually a recipe for disaster — unless you’re Marcel Siem. The German pro revealed on a podcast that he once set three course records while intoxicated, including during the third round of the 2015 Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Despite vomiting twice mid-round, he played one of the best rounds of his life. Read more.
Shane Lowry forgets to mark his ball
At the 2025 U.S. Open, Shane Lowry made a rare rookie mistake — he picked up his ball on the 14th green without marking it first. The resulting penalty stroke didn’t affect his standings much, as he was already 14 over par and out of contention. Lowry took it with humor, laughing about it after the round. Read more.
McIlroy hits two balls with one swing
At the 2025 British Open, McIlroy pulled off an unintentional magic trick. While hitting from the rough on the 11th hole, two balls flew out — his own and a lost ball buried in the grass. While some joked about his wizardry, it was likely just a hidden ball unearthed by his swing. Read more.
Charley Hull’s £10,000 no-smoking bet
Quitting smoking is tough, even for elite athletes. Charley Hull made it interesting by betting fellow pro Ryan Evans £10,000 that she wouldn’t smoke until mid-May. She won the bet — and kept the money —