From McIlroy’s phone incident to Siem’s drunken record round — a look back at golf’s quirkiest moments in 2025.
Golf is traditionally a sport of etiquette and composure, but even the calmest game has its bizarre moments. From a forgotten ball marker to a £10,000 bet to quit smoking, 2025 delivered its fair share of oddities. Here are some of the strangest golf stories 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. After a fan interrupted his swing, McIlroy demanded the man’s phone and walked off with it down the fairway. The fan eventually got his phone back — but not his tournament pass.
Marcel Siem’s drunken course record
Playing golf while intoxicated 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 drunk, including one during the third round of the 2015 Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Despite two vomiting breaks, he played one of the best rounds of his life.
Shane Lowry forgets to mark his ball
It’s a mistake every amateur fears, but rarely seen at the pro level. At the 2025 U.S. Open, Shane Lowry picked up his ball on the 14th green without marking it, earning a penalty stroke. Already 14 over par and out of contention, the Irishman laughed off the blunder post-round.
McIlroy hits two balls with one swing
During the 2025 British Open, Rory McIlroy pulled off a trick shot even he didn’t expect. While hitting from the rough on the 11th hole, two balls flew out — one being a previously lost ball buried in the grass. Magic? Not quite, but certainly memorable.
Charley Hull’s £10,000 no-smoking bet
Quitting smoking is tough, even for elite athletes. To motivate herself,