From McIlroy’s phone snatch to Marcel Siem’s drunken course records – a look back at golf’s quirkiest 2025 moments.
Golf is a sport known for its etiquette and calm demeanor, but even in this refined game, bizarre moments are bound to happen. From forgotten ball markers to £10,000 bets to quit smoking and record-breaking rounds under the influence, 2025 delivered plenty of oddities. Here are some of the most curious golf stories of the year.
Rory McIlroy takes a fan’s phone
Rory McIlroy is no stranger to hecklers, but during a practice round ahead of the Players Championship, he had enough. After a fan interrupted his swing, McIlroy demanded the man’s phone and walked off with it across the fairway. The fan eventually got his phone back but was 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 he once set three course records while intoxicated, including one 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 committed a rare professional blunder. On the 14th hole, he picked up his ball without marking it, earning a penalty stroke. Already 14-over-par and out of contention, Lowry laughed off the mistake after the round.
McIlroy hits two balls at once
During the 2025 British Open, McIlroy pulled off a bizarre shot. While hitting from the rough on the 11th hole, two balls flew out—one being a lost ball likely buried in the grass. It looked like a magic trick, even to McIlroy himself.
Charley Hull’s £10,000 no-smoking bet
Quitting smoking is tough—even for elite athletes. Charley Hull made it interesting by