From McIlroy’s phone snatch to Siem’s boozy record round — we look back at golf’s most bizarre moments of 2025.
Golf is often seen as a sport of etiquette and composure, but even in this refined world, strange and hilarious moments happen. From forgotten ball markers to drunken course records and high-stakes bets to quit smoking, 2025 delivered its fair share of oddities. Here’s our roundup of the quirkiest golf moments of the year.
Rory McIlroy grabs a fan’s phone
Rory McIlroy is no stranger to hecklers, but during a practice round ahead of the Players Championship, he had enough. When a fan interrupted his routine, McIlroy walked over, demanded the fan’s phone, and strolled off down the fairway with it. The phone was eventually returned, but the fan was escorted out of the tournament.
Marcel Siem sets course record — drunk
Playing golf while drunk is usually a recipe for disaster — unless you’re Marcel Siem. The German pro revealed on a podcast that he once shot a course record during the third round of the 2015 Pebble Beach Pro-Am after a night of heavy drinking. Despite two mid-round vomiting breaks, he played one of the best rounds of his life.
Shane Lowry forgets to mark his ball
At the 2025 U.S. Open, Shane Lowry made a rare rookie mistake. On the 14th hole, he picked up his ball without marking it, resulting in a penalty stroke. Already well over par and out of contention, Lowry laughed off the blunder after the round.
McIlroy hits two balls with one swing
During the 2025 British Open, McIlroy pulled off a bizarre feat. While hitting from the rough on hole 11, a second ball unexpectedly flew out alongside his shot. The likely explanation? A lost ball from earlier in the week was dislodged by his swing.
Charley Hull’s £10,000 no-smoking bet
Quitting smoking is tough — even for elite athletes. To motivate herself,