The 2025 golf season was anything but boring – from fan scandals to rule chaos, here’s a look back at the year’s biggest dramas.
From controversial rule changes to viral moments and heated debates, 2025 offered golf fans more than just great performances. The headlines were dominated by fan behavior, player disputes, and administrative blunders. Here’s our recap of a year that kept the golf world buzzing.
Ryder Cup Drama: Booing Fans, Rule Reboots and a Captain’s Dilemma
The 2025 Ryder Cup was full of unexpected twists. Captain Keegan Bradley found himself ranked ninth in the Ryder Cup standings after winning the Travelers Championship—while already serving as team captain. The age-old question of whether a captain can also play was reignited, leading to a rule change. Ultimately, Bradley chose to stay on the sidelines, a smart move competitively, though less exciting for fans.
Meanwhile, the fans made their presence felt. Rory McIlroy endured loud boos and distractions, while Shane Lowry personally escorted a disruptive fan to security. In a controversial move, only Team USA received official prize money in 2025, with Team Europe left out. Scottie Scheffler pledged to donate his earnings, while McIlroy quipped he’d pay to play on Sunday.
Viktor Hovland’s neck injury triggered a rarely used rule: his opponent received half a point without a single shot played. Opinions were split on the fairness of this outcome. And then there was the mysterious Ryder Cup merchandise scandal—a shirt featuring a swing silhouette suspiciously resembling McIlroy quietly disappeared from the shop.
LIV vs. PGA, Equipment Failures and Administrative Chaos
The ongoing PGA vs. LIV saga added another chapter when Wesley Bryan was suspended by the PGA Tour for participating in a LIV-supported YouTube event. Ironically, the channel host, Grant Horvat, had been invited by the PGA itself. Phil Mickelson called the suspension an attack on entrepreneurial freedom.
Sophia Popov’s season took a heartbreaking turn when she was retroactively disqualified from three LPGA events due to an administrative error. Despite initial approval to play, her points and prize money were revoked, effectively ending her bid for a 2026 tour card.
Rory McIlroy found himself at the center of a technical controversy when his driver failed a USGA test. Although the results were supposed to remain confidential, the news leaked, sparking speculation about his Masters win. Scottie Scheffler’s driver also failed—but his identity remained protected. McIlroy expressed frustration over the selective leak.
Slow Play, Shot Clocks and a Viral Creek Incident
Slow play remained a hot topic. Tom Kim admitted the TGL’s shot clock helped him speed up, while Alejandro Tosti was accused of using slow play as a tactic. At the