From McIlroy’s phone incident to Siem’s drunken record – we look back at golf’s quirkiest moments of 2025.
Golf is often seen as a serious sport, defined by etiquette and quiet concentration. But even in this refined world, bizarre and humorous moments are never far away. From forgotten ball markers to £10,000 bets to quit smoking, 2025 brought its fair share of oddities. Here’s our roundup of the strangest 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 ahead of the Players Championship, he decided enough was enough. After a fan shouted during his swing, McIlroy walked over, demanded the fan’s phone, and casually strolled down the fairway with it. The fan eventually got his phone back—but not before being escorted out of the tournament.
Marcel Siem’s drunken course record
Playing drunk is usually a recipe for disaster—but not for Marcel Siem. In a podcast, the German pro revealed that he once shot a course record during the third round of the 2015 Pebble Beach Pro-Am—despite being heavily intoxicated and taking two breaks to vomit. It turned out to be one of the best rounds of his life.
Shane Lowry forgets to mark his ball at the US Open
It’s a mistake every amateur can relate to—but rarely seen at the pro level. At the 2025 US Open, Shane Lowry picked up his ball on the 14th hole without marking it, earning a penalty stroke. Already 14-over-par and far from the cut, Lowry was able to laugh about the blunder afterward.
McIlroy hits two balls with one swing
During the 2025 British Open, Rory McIlroy pulled off a trick even he hadn’t seen before. While hitting from the rough on the 11th hole, two balls flew out—one of them likely a lost ball from earlier in the week. Magic? Not quite—but certainly bizarre.
Charley Hull’s £10,000 no-smoking bet
Quitting smoking is tough—even for elite athletes. To motivate herself,