A look back at 2025’s emotional turning points, personal stories and unforgettable moments on and off the golf course.
2025 was a year full of stories. Legendary careers came to a close while new paths were forged. Between farewells and fresh starts, crisis and clarity, emotion and spectacle, golf delivered it all. Sometimes, a single putt is enough to define an entire year. Here’s the year in review.
Bernhard Langer’s Quiet Farewell at Augusta
Few images in golf speak louder than words. But when Bernhard Langer stood on the 18th green at Augusta in April, the crowd rising to its feet as the two-time Masters champion took his final putt, it was one of those moments. After 41 starts, it was time to say goodbye. He missed the cut, but no one cared. It was the decades of dedication that earned global respect. Langer, ever composed and humble, expressed gratitude and a wish to return as a non-playing champion. A quiet exit for a giant who never sought the spotlight but was impossible to overlook.
From Fire to Celebration: Golf’s Emotional Spectrum
While Augusta echoed with memories, another historic course faced a different kind of challenge. Wildfires in California, driven by strong winds, forced tens of thousands to evacuate and came dangerously close to the Riviera Country Club. With nearly a century of history, including Olympic events and Major victories, the iconic venue was in the evacuation zone. Firefighters battled to protect one of golf’s most storied locations.
Meanwhile, on the Ladies European Tour, German golfer Laura Fünfstück brought warmth to the season with her wedding to fellow pro Rosie Davies. Just days later, she was back on the course. “Nice to think about my swing instead of tablecloths again,” she joked, highlighting how personal life and professional golf often intertwine seamlessly.
Elsewhere, Tiger Woods made headlines not for his swing, but his personal life. Rumors swirled about a relationship with Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Both based in Florida, they were seen together multiple times. With their children involved in junior golf, their paths naturally crossed. As Woods dealt with injury and the loss of his mother, his private life unexpectedly took center stage.
Defining Moments: LIV, Family First, and Health Scares
At LIV Golf Adelaide, Patrick Reed electrified the crowd with a hole-in-one on the 12th hole, known as