The 2025 golf year brought emotional turning points, personal stories, and dramatic scenes on and off the course.
From heartfelt goodbyes to unexpected triumphs, 2025 was a year packed with stories. Legendary careers came to a close, new paths were forged, and the sport of golf showcased its full emotional spectrum. Sometimes, a single putt can define an entire season. Here’s our year in review.
Bernhard Langer’s Quiet Farewell at Augusta
Few images in golf speak louder than words. When Bernhard Langer stood on the 18th green at Augusta in April, the crowd rose to honor the two-time Masters champion as he took his final putt. After 41 starts, it was time to say goodbye. Though he missed the cut, it hardly mattered. The decades Langer spent competing at Augusta earned him global respect. Gracious and composed, Langer expressed gratitude and a desire to return as a non-playing champion. A quiet exit for a giant who never sought the spotlight but was impossible to ignore.
Golf in Flames: Riviera and the California Wildfires
While Augusta echoed with memories, another iconic course faced a different kind of challenge. Wildfires driven by fierce winds forced tens of thousands to evacuate near the Riviera Country Club in California. With nearly a century of history and a legacy of hosting Majors and Olympic events, Riviera found itself in the danger zone. Firefighters battled to protect one of golf’s most storied venues as the flames crept closer.
Personal Stories That Shaped the Season
Beyond the courses, players’ lives added emotional depth to the season. On the Ladies European Tour, Laura Fünfstück married fellow pro Rosie Davies, returning to competition just days later. “Nice to think about my swing again instead of tablecloths,” she joked, highlighting the balance between personal life and professional focus.
Tiger Woods made headlines off the course amid reports of a relationship with Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Both based in Florida and connected through junior golf, the pair were seen together multiple times. With Woods dealing with injuries and the loss of his mother, his private life once again drew public attention.
At LIV Golf Adelaide, Patrick Reed electrified fans with a hole-in-one at the “Watering Hole” 12th. The crowd erupted, drinks flew, and the atmosphere resembled a football match more than a golf event—exactly the vibe LIV aims to create.