From McIlroy’s phone incident to Siem’s drunken round, we recap the most bizarre golf moments of 2025.
Golf is often seen as a sport of etiquette and composure, but even in this refined world, strange and humorous moments are bound to happen. From forgotten ball markers to high-stakes bets and unexpected course records, 2025 delivered its fair share of golf oddities. Here’s our roundup of 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 out. In response, McIlroy demanded the fan’s phone and walked off with it across the fairway. While the phone was eventually returned, the fan was escorted out of the tournament. Read more.
Marcel Siem sets course record while drunk
German golfer Marcel Siem revealed in a podcast that he once set three course records while intoxicated, including one during the third round of the 2015 Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Despite taking two breaks to vomit, Siem described it as one of the best rounds of his life. Read more.
Shane Lowry forgets to mark his ball at the US Open
At the 2025 US Open, Shane Lowry made a rare professional blunder by picking up his ball on the 14th hole without marking it first. The mistake cost him a penalty stroke, but with his score already well over par, Lowry was able to laugh it off. Read more.
McIlroy hits two balls with one swing
During the British Open, McIlroy hit a shot from the rough that mysteriously sent two balls flying. The likely explanation? A lost ball from earlier in the tournament was buried in the grass and got dislodged by McIlroy’s swing. Read more.
Charley Hull’s £10,000 bet to quit smoking
To motivate herself to quit smoking, Charley Hull made a £10,000 bet with fellow pro Ryan Evans that she wouldn’t touch a cigarette until mid-May. She succeeded and said it was surprisingly easy.