From McIlroy’s phone incident to Siem’s drunken record – a look back at golf’s quirkiest moments of 2025.
Golf is typically a sport of etiquette and calm, but even this refined game has its bizarre moments. From forgotten ball markers 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
During a practice round ahead of the Players Championship, Rory McIlroy had enough of fan interruptions. When one spectator shouted during his swing, McIlroy walked over, took the fan’s phone, and strolled down the fairway with it. While the phone was eventually returned, the fan was escorted out of the tournament. Read more.
Marcel Siem sets course record while drunk
German pro Marcel Siem shared on a podcast that he once set three course records while intoxicated, including 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. Read more.
Shane Lowry forgets to mark his ball
At the 2025 US Open, Shane Lowry made a rare professional blunder: he picked up his ball on the 14th hole without marking it first, resulting in a penalty stroke. Already 14 over par and out of contention, Lowry laughed off the mistake after the round. Read more.
McIlroy hits two balls with one swing
During the British Open, McIlroy hit a shot from the rough and, to his surprise, two balls flew out. The likely explanation? A lost ball from earlier in the tournament was buried nearby and dislodged by his swing. Read more.
Charley Hull’s £10,000 no-smoking bet
To motivate herself to quit smoking, Charley Hull bet fellow pro Ryan Evans £10,000 that she wouldn’t smoke until mid-May. She succeeded and said it was surprisingly easy. Read more.