From McIlroy’s phone snatch to Siem’s drunken record, we look back at golf’s most bizarre moments of 2025.
Golf is often seen as a sport of etiquette and composure, but even in this refined world, strange and hilarious moments can occur. From forgotten ball markers to drunken course records and high-stakes bets to quit smoking, 2025 brought its fair share of unusual stories. Here’s our roundup of the quirkiest golf moments of the year.
Rory McIlroy confiscates a fan’s phone
Rory McIlroy is no stranger to fan interruptions, but during a practice round at the Players Championship, he took matters into his own hands. After a fan shouted during his swing, McIlroy walked over, demanded the man’s phone, and strode down the fairway with it. The fan eventually got his phone back—but not before being escorted off the premises. Read more here.
Marcel Siem’s drunken course record
Playing golf while drunk is usually a recipe for disaster—but not for Marcel Siem. The German pro revealed on a podcast that he once set a course record while heavily intoxicated, including a round at 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 mistake even amateurs try to avoid—he picked up his ball on the 14th hole without marking it first. The blunder cost him a penalty stroke, but since he was already 14-over-par and far from making the cut, he laughed it off afterward. Read more here.
McIlroy hits two balls with one swing
During the 2025 British Open, Rory McIlroy pulled off an unintentional magic trick. From the rough on the 11th hole, he struck his ball—and a second, previously lost ball flew out with it. While some joked he conjured it, it’s more likely the second ball was buried and dislodged by his swing. Read more here.
Charley Hull’s £10,000 anti-smoking bet
Quitting smoking is tough—even for elite athletes. Charley Hull made