From McIlroy’s phone incident to Siem’s drunken course record—2025 brought some truly bizarre golf moments.
Golf is typically a sport of etiquette and calm, but even this refined game has its share of oddities. From forgotten ball markers to a £10,000 bet to quit smoking, 2025 delivered some unforgettable moments. Here’s our roundup 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 him, McIlroy demanded the man’s phone and walked off with it across the fairway. The fan eventually got his phone back—but was escorted out of the tournament.
Marcel Siem sets course record—while drunk
Playing golf drunk usually ends in disaster, but not for Marcel Siem. In a podcast, the German pro revealed 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 called it one of the best performances of his life.
Shane Lowry forgets to mark his ball
At the 2025 U.S. Open, Shane Lowry made a rare mistake for a pro. On the 14th hole, he picked up his ball without marking it, earning a penalty stroke. Already 14-over par and missing the cut, Lowry was able to laugh about the error afterward.
McIlroy hits two balls with one swing
During the 2025 British Open, McIlroy pulled off a bizarre trick shot. While hitting from the rough on the 11th hole, a second ball unexpectedly flew out with his shot. It was likely a lost ball from earlier that got dislodged during his swing.
Charley Hull bets £10,000 to quit smoking
Quitting smoking is tough—even for elite athletes. In March, Charley Hull made a bold bet with fellow pro Ryan Evans: if she smoked before mid-May, she’d owe him £10,000.