From McIlroy’s phone incident to Siem’s drunken course records — a look back at golf’s quirkiest moments of 2025.
Golf is typically a sport of etiquette and composure, but even this refined game isn’t immune to bizarre moments. From forgotten ball markers to a £10,000 bet to quit smoking and even drunken course records — 2025 had its fair share of oddities. Here are some of the most curious golf stories of the year.
Rory McIlroy confiscates a fan’s phone
During a practice round ahead of the Players Championship, Rory McIlroy was interrupted by a fan shouting mid-swing. In response, McIlroy asked for the fan’s phone and walked off with it across the fairway. The fan eventually got the phone back but was escorted out of the tournament. Read more.
Marcel Siem sets course record while drunk
German pro Marcel Siem revealed on a podcast that he once set a course record while drunk — not once, but three times. One such occasion was during the third round of the 2015 Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Despite taking two breaks to vomit, he played one of the best rounds of his life. Read more.
Shane Lowry forgets to mark his ball
At the 2025 US Open, Shane Lowry made a rare professional blunder by picking up his ball on the 14th green without marking it first. The mistake cost him a penalty stroke. Already 14-over-par and well outside the cut line, Lowry laughed it off after the round. Read more.
McIlroy hits two balls with one swing
At the 2025 British Open, McIlroy hit a shot from the rough — and unexpectedly, two balls flew out. One was likely a lost ball from earlier in the tournament that got scooped up with his swing. Read more.
Charley Hull’s £10,000 no-smoking bet
To motivate herself to quit smoking, Charley Hull made a £10,000 bet with fellow pro Ryan Evans that she wouldn’t touch a cigarette until mid-May. She won the bet and said it was surprisingly easy.