A look back at 2025’s emotional highlights, from quiet farewells to dramatic moments on and off the course.
The 2025 golf season delivered a full spectrum of stories. From legendary careers concluding to new paths being forged, the year was marked by farewells, fresh starts, crises, clarity, emotion, and spectacle. Sometimes, a single putt is enough to define an entire year.
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 appearances, it was time to say goodbye. He missed the cut, but that hardly mattered. What resonated was the legacy he left behind — decades of excellence respected worldwide. Langer remained composed and grateful, expressing his desire to return as a non-playing champion. A quiet exit for a giant of the game.
Golf Meets Crisis: Fires Threaten Riviera
While Augusta echoed with nostalgia, California’s Riviera Country Club faced a different kind of drama. Raging wildfires, driven by fierce winds, forced tens of thousands to evacuate and came dangerously close to the historic course. With nearly a century of history, Riviera has hosted Olympic events, Majors, and countless celebrities. As flames approached, emergency crews battled to protect one of golf’s most iconic venues.
Personal Moments and Public Stages
Golf in 2025 wasn’t just about the courses — it was also about the people. On the Ladies European Tour, Laura Fünfstück brought warmth to the season by marrying fellow pro Rosie Davies. Just days later, she was back on the tee. “Nice to think about my swing again instead of tablecloths,” she joked, highlighting how closely personal life and professional golf intertwine.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods made headlines for reasons beyond the fairway. Rumors swirled about a relationship with Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Both live in Florida and share ties through their children’s involvement in junior golf. Amid injury recovery and the loss of his mother, Woods found his personal life in the spotlight once again.
At LIV Golf Adelaide, the mood was anything but subdued. Patrick Reed’s hole-in-one on the 12th — the infamous “Watering Hole” — sent fans into a frenzy. Drinks flew, cheers erupted, and the scene resembled