The 2025 golf season was anything but dull—controversies, fan chaos, rule debates and viral moments kept headlines buzzing.
From rule rewrites to fan drama, the 2025 golf season delivered more than just athletic excellence. While players like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler made headlines for their performances, off-course and off-script moments often stole the spotlight. Here’s our look back at a year full of surprises.
Ryder Cup Drama: Fans, Rules, and a Captain’s Dilemma
The 2025 Ryder Cup was a spectacle of unexpected narratives. Team USA captain Keegan Bradley found himself ranked ninth in the player standings after winning the Travelers Championship, sparking debate over whether a captain should also play. A rule change allowed it, but Bradley opted to stay on the sidelines—strategically wise, if theatrically underwhelming.
Meanwhile, fans took center stage. Rory McIlroy faced boos and heckling from the American crowd, while Shane Lowry escorted a rowdy fan to security. The controversy deepened when it was revealed that only Team USA received prize money—Team Europe played for free. McIlroy quipped he’d pay to play on Ryder Cup Sunday.
Viktor Hovland’s neck injury triggered an obscure rule: his opponent received half a point without a single shot played. The match was halved, and so were opinions on the fairness. Adding to the oddities, a Ryder Cup shop shirt featuring a swing silhouette resembling McIlroy quietly disappeared from shelves.
PGA vs. LIV, Popov’s LPGA Nightmare, and Leaky Driver Tests
The PGA vs. LIV saga continued with Wesley Bryan’s suspension after appearing in a LIV-backed YouTube event. Ironically, the PGA had invited the channel’s host, Grant Horvat, to its own events. Phil Mickelson called the punishment an attack on entrepreneurial freedom.
Sophia Popov’s season turned tragicomic when the LPGA told her she could play—then revoked that permission after three events. Her points and prize money were stripped due to an ‘administrative error,’ costing her a shot at a 2026 tour card.
Rory McIlroy’s driver failed a USGA test at the PGA Championship, a result that was supposed to remain confidential. The leak led to speculation about his Masters win, until the PGA of America stepped in. Scottie Scheffler’s driver also failed but remained unnamed, prompting McIlroy to question the selective disclosure.
Slow Play, Shot Clocks, and a Viral Creek Moment
Slow play remained a hot topic. Tom Kim embraced the TGL’s shot clock to speed up his game, while Alejandro Tosti was accused of deliberately slowing down to disrupt opponents. At the Open Championship, rounds stretched to six hours, and J.J. Spaun received a warning for exceeding the 50-second shot routine limit.
Finally, a moment straight out