From McIlroy’s phone incident to Siem’s drunken course record — here are the quirkiest golf moments of 2025.
Golf is often seen as a serious sport, steeped in etiquette and calm. 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 moments in golf this year.
McIlroy confiscates a fan’s phone
Rory McIlroy is no stranger to hecklers, but during a practice round at the Players Championship, he took matters into his own hands. After a fan interrupted his swing, McIlroy demanded the fan’s phone and walked off with it across the fairway. The phone was eventually returned, but the fan was escorted out of the tournament.
Marcel Siem’s drunken course record
Playing golf drunk is usually a recipe for disaster — unless you’re Marcel Siem. The German pro revealed 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 two vomiting breaks, he played 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 mistake that amateurs know all too well — he picked up his ball without marking it. The error cost him a penalty stroke. Already 14-over-par and far from the cut line, Lowry laughed it off after the round.
McIlroy hits two balls at once
During the 2025 British Open, McIlroy pulled off a bizarre trick shot — unintentionally. While hitting from the rough on the 11th hole, a second ball flew out alongside his. It turned out to be a lost ball from earlier in the tournament, dislodged by McIlroy’s swing.
Charley Hull’s £10,000 no-smoking bet
Quitting smoking is tough, even for elite athletes. In March, Charley Hull made a bold bet: