Year in Review: Phone Snatch and Drunken Records – Golf’s Strangest Moments 2025

From McIlroy’s phone snatch to Marcel Siem’s drunken course record — we look back at golf’s quirkiest moments of 2025.

Golf is typically a sport of etiquette and calm, but even this refined game has its share of bizarre moments. From forgotten ball markers to a £10,000 bet to quit smoking, and even record-setting rounds under the influence — 2025 delivered plenty of oddities. Here are the strangest 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’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 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 US Open, Shane Lowry made a rare pro blunder. He picked up his ball on the 14th green 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 with one swing

During the 2025 British Open, Rory McIlroy pulled off an unintentional trick shot. While hitting from the rough on the 11th hole, not one but two balls flew out. The second ball was likely a lost one 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. Charley Hull made a bold move in March by betting fellow pro Ryan Evans £10,000 that she wouldn’t smoke until mid-May.