The 2025 golf season was anything but dull – from fan clashes to rule chaos, here’s a look at the year’s biggest headlines.
From rule rewrites to fan drama and viral moments, 2025 delivered a golf season full of surprises. While athletic performances shone, it was often the off-course stories that made headlines. Here’s our recap of the most talked-about moments in golf this year.
Ryder Cup Drama: Booing Fans, Rule Changes and a Silent Captain
The 2025 Ryder Cup was a theater of unexpected roles. Keegan Bradley, named captain, won the Travelers Championship and climbed to ninth in the Ryder Cup rankings—raising the question: should a captain play? A rule tweak allowed it, but Bradley opted to stay on the sidelines, a wise move competitively, if anticlimactic theatrically.
Fans, however, took center stage. Rory McIlroy faced loud boos and distractions, while Shane Lowry escorted a heckler to security. Prize money stirred debate too: for the first time, only Team USA received official compensation. Scottie Scheffler pledged to donate his share, while McIlroy quipped he’d pay to play on Sunday.
Viktor Hovland’s neck injury triggered a rarely used rule: his opponent received a half point by default. The match ended tied—so did public opinion. Meanwhile, a Ryder Cup shop shirt resembling McIlroy mysteriously vanished from shelves after stirring controversy.
PGA vs. LIV, Popov’s LPGA Nightmare and Driver Failures
The PGA-LIV saga continued with Wesley Bryan suspended for playing in a LIV-backed YouTube event. Ironically, the channel’s host, Grant Horvat, had been invited by the PGA Tour itself. Phil Mickelson called it a blow to entrepreneurial freedom.
Sophia Popov’s LPGA season ended in heartbreak. After being told she could play, she competed in three events—only to be informed later she wasn’t eligible. Her points and earnings were revoked due to an “administrative error,” costing her a shot at a tour card.
Tech drama hit Rory McIlroy when his driver failed a USGA test. Though meant to be confidential, the leak sparked speculation about his Masters win. The PGA of America clarified, but questions lingered—especially since Scottie Scheffler’s failed driver remained anonymous. McIlroy criticized the selective leaking.
Slow Play, Shot Clocks and One Viral Creek Moment
Slow play remained a hot topic. Tom Kim admitted the TGL’s shot clock helped him speed up. Alejandro Tosti was accused of using slow play to disrupt opponents. At The Open, rounds stretched to six hours. J.J. Spaun even received a warning for a 50-second pre-shot routine.
Finally, one of the year’s most bizarre moments: Spanish amateur Jose Luis Ballester, playing at the Masters, couldn’t find a restroom and relieved himself in Rae’s Creek. In a club where sitting on the grass is frowned upon, the moment went viral—securing Ballester a unique place in golf’s 2025 story.