From McIlroy’s phone incident to Siem’s drunken course record—2025 delivered some truly bizarre golf moments.
Golf is typically a sport of etiquette and composure, but even in this refined world, strange and unexpected moments can occur. From forgotten ball markers to a £10,000 bet to quit smoking and even inebriated course records, 2025 was full of surprises. 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 hecklers, but during a practice round at the Players Championship, one fan took it too far. After being interrupted mid-swing, McIlroy demanded the fan’s phone and walked off with it down the fairway. While the device was eventually returned, the fan was ejected from the tournament.
Marcel Siem sets a course record—drunk
Playing golf while intoxicated is generally frowned upon, but Marcel Siem turned it into a legendary tale. In a podcast, the German pro revealed he once set a course record at the 2015 Pebble Beach Pro-Am while hungover, even taking two breaks to vomit. Despite the circumstances, it was one of the best rounds 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—he picked up his ball on the 14th hole without marking it. The error cost him a penalty stroke, but with Lowry already 14-over-par and far from the cut line, he was able to laugh it off afterward.
McIlroy hits two balls with one swing
During the 2025 British Open, Rory McIlroy pulled off an unintentional magic trick. While hitting from the rough on the 11th hole, two balls flew out—one his own, and one likely lost earlier by another player. Even McIlroy was baffled by the bizarre occurrence.
Charley Hull bets £10,000 to quit smoking
Quitting smoking is tough—even for elite athletes. In March, Charley Hull made a bold move: