From McIlroy’s phone incident to Siem’s drunken course record—join us for the quirkiest golf moments of 2025.
Golf is often seen as a serious sport defined by etiquette and calm. But even in this refined world, bizarre moments are bound to happen. From forgotten ball markers to a £10,000 bet to quit smoking and even drunken course records, 2025 delivered its fair share of oddities. Here’s our roundup of the strangest golf moments of the year.
Rory McIlroy confiscates a fan’s phone
Rory McIlroy is no stranger to hecklers, but during a practice round at the Players Championship, he had enough. When a fan interrupted his swing, McIlroy asked for the man’s phone, took it, and walked off down the fairway. The fan eventually got his phone back—but not before being escorted out of the tournament.
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 one during the third round of the 2015 Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Despite taking two breaks to vomit, 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 mistake most amateurs can relate to—but pros rarely make. On the 14th hole, he picked up his ball without marking it, earning a penalty stroke. Already 14-over-par and out of contention, Lowry laughed it off after the round.
McIlroy hits two balls with one swing
During the 2025 British Open, Rory McIlroy pulled off a trick even he hadn’t seen before. While hitting from the rough on the 11th hole, two balls flew out—his own and a lost ball buried in the grass. Some joked McIlroy had learned to conjure golf balls, but the more likely explanation is that the second ball had been lost earlier in the tournament.
Charley Hull’s £10,000 no-smoking bet
Quitting smoking is tough—even for elite athletes. To motivate herself, Charley Hull made a