From McIlroy’s phone incident to Siem’s drunken record round—2025 brought some truly bizarre golf moments.
Golf is traditionally a sport of etiquette and composure, but even the most disciplined game has its odd moments. In 2025, the world of golf saw everything from unmarked balls to magical double shots and high-stakes bets to quit smoking. Here’s a look back at the quirkiest highlights of the year.
Rory McIlroy Confiscates a Fan’s Phone
During a practice round at 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 calmly strolled down the fairway with it. The phone was eventually returned, but the fan was escorted out of the tournament. Read more.
Marcel Siem’s Drunken Record Round
Playing golf while intoxicated is generally frowned upon—but not for Marcel Siem. In a podcast, the German pro revealed he once set a course record while heavily hungover, including two vomiting breaks, during the third round of the 2015 Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Read more.
Shane Lowry Forgets to Mark His Ball
At the 2025 U.S. Open, Shane Lowry made a rare rookie mistake—picking up his ball on the 14th green without marking it first. The resulting penalty didn’t affect his chances much, as he was already 14-over and missed the cut, but the moment still raised eyebrows. Read more.
McIlroy Hits Two Balls at Once
During the British Open, McIlroy hit a shot from the rough only to see two balls fly out. The second ball had apparently been lost in the grass and was dislodged by his swing. Even Rory was baffled by the bizarre moment. Read more.
Charley Hull’s £10,000 No-Smoking Bet
Charley Hull made a bold move to quit smoking—she bet fellow pro Ryan Evans £10,000 that she wouldn’t touch a cigarette until mid-May. She won the bet and said the challenge was surprisingly easy.