From McIlroy’s phone snatch to Siem’s tipsy course record – we recap the quirkiest golf moments of 2025.
Golf is typically a sport of calm and etiquette, but even this refined game has its share of bizarre moments. From forgotten ball markers to drunken course records and high-stakes bets to quit smoking, 2025 delivered some truly odd stories from the fairways. 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, he had enough. After a fan interrupted his swing, McIlroy demanded the man’s phone and walked off with it down the fairway. The fan eventually got his phone back but was escorted out of the tournament.
Marcel Siem sets course record while drunk
Playing golf drunk? Usually a recipe for disaster. But not for 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 his best rounds ever.
Shane Lowry forgets to mark his ball at the US Open
It’s a mistake most amateurs can relate to, but one rarely seen among pros. At the 2025 US Open, Shane Lowry picked up his ball on the 14th green without marking it first, earning a penalty stroke. Already 14-over and out of contention, Lowry laughed it off after the round.
McIlroy hits two balls with one swing
At the British Open, Rory McIlroy pulled off a shot even he hadn’t seen before. On the 11th hole, he struck his ball from the rough—and a second ball unexpectedly flew out with it. Most likely, the second ball had been lost in the grass and was dislodged by McIlroy’s swing.
Charley Hull bets £10,000 to quit smoking
Quitting smoking is tough—even for elite athletes. In March, Charley Hull made a bold move to help herself quit: