From McIlroy’s phone incident to Siem’s drunken record round — we look back at golf’s quirkiest moments of 2025.
Golf is often seen as a serious and etiquette-driven sport, but even this refined game has its fair share of bizarre moments. From forgotten ball markers to a £10,000 bet to quit smoking, 2025 was full of unexpected and amusing stories from the world of golf. Here are some of the quirkiest highlights 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 was escorted out of the tournament.
Marcel Siem sets record while drunk
Drinking and golf usually don’t mix — unless you’re Marcel Siem. In a podcast, the German pro revealed 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
At the 2025 US Open, Shane Lowry made a rare mistake for a pro: he picked up his ball without marking it on the 14th hole. The error cost him a penalty stroke, but with Lowry already 14-over-par and missing the cut, he was able to laugh it off 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, two balls flew out — one of which had likely been lost there earlier. A magical moment or just a lucky fluke?
Charley Hull’s £10,000 no-smoking bet
Quitting smoking is tough, even for elite athletes. In March, Charley Hull made