From McIlroy’s phone incident to Siem’s drunken course record — here are the quirkiest golf moments of 2025.
Golf is often seen as a serious sport, steeped in etiquette and calm. But even in this refined game, bizarre moments are bound to happen. From forgotten ball markers to a £10,000 bet to quit smoking, 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
During a practice round ahead of the Players Championship, Rory McIlroy was interrupted by a fan shouting from the sidelines. In response, McIlroy demanded the fan’s phone and walked off with it across the fairway. The fan eventually got the phone back but was escorted out of the tournament. Read more here.
Marcel Siem’s Drunken Course Record
Playing golf while intoxicated is generally frowned upon — 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. Read more here.
Shane Lowry Forgets to Mark His Ball
At the 2025 U.S. Open, Shane Lowry made a rare mistake for a pro: he picked up his ball on the 14th hole without marking it first. The error cost him a penalty stroke. Already 14-over-par and far from making the cut, Lowry laughed off the blunder after his round. Read more here.
McIlroy Accidentally Hits Two Balls
During the British Open, McIlroy hit a shot from the rough — and unexpectedly, two balls flew out. The likely explanation? A lost ball from earlier in the tournament was buried and dislodged by his swing. Read more here.
Charley Hull’s £10,000 No-Smoking Bet
Quitting smoking is tough, even for elite athletes. To motivate herself, Charley Hull made a bold bet with fellow pro Ryan Evans: if she smoked before mid-May, she’d owe him £10,000. She won the bet — and said it was surprisingly easy.