The 2025 golf season was packed with drama—from fan incidents and rule chaos to tech fails and viral moments.
From impressive performances to off-course controversies, 2025 proved anything but dull in the world of golf. Heated debates, unexpected twists, and viral moments defined a season that kept fans and players on their toes.
Ryder Cup Drama: Booing, Rule Changes and a Captain’s Dilemma
The 2025 Ryder Cup delivered more than just golf—it was a theater of unexpected roles. Team USA captain Keegan Bradley found himself ranked ninth after winning the Travelers Championship, sparking debate over whether a captain should also play. A rule change allowed it, but Bradley chose to stay on the sidelines, a decision both wise and anticlimactic.
Meanwhile, fans took center stage. Rory McIlroy faced relentless booing from American crowds, while Shane Lowry escorted a heckler to security. Prize money stirred controversy too—Team USA received payouts, but Team Europe didn’t. Scottie Scheffler pledged to donate his, and McIlroy quipped he’d pay to play on Sunday.
Viktor Hovland’s neck injury triggered an obscure rule, awarding his opponent half a point without a single shot played. The match was halved—and so were the opinions. Adding to the oddities, a Ryder Cup shop shirt featuring a swing resembling McIlroy’s quietly disappeared from shelves.
PGA vs. LIV, Tech Fails and Tour Card Chaos
The PGA-LIV saga continued when Wesley Bryan was suspended by the PGA Tour after appearing in a LIV-backed YouTube event. Bryan defended his professionalism, while Phil Mickelson called it a blow to entrepreneurial freedom. Ironically, the event’s host, Grant Horvat, had been invited by the PGA Tour itself.
LPGA pro Sophia Popov faced heartbreak after being mistakenly cleared to play three events. The LPGA later revoked her points and prize money, citing an administrative error—effectively ending her bid for a 2026 tour card.
Rory McIlroy’s driver failed a USGA test at the PGA Championship, a result that was supposed to remain confidential. Speculation swirled about his Masters win until the PGA of America stepped in. Scottie Scheffler’s driver also failed, but his identity remained protected—prompting McIlroy to question the selective leak.
Slow Play, Shot Clocks and a Viral Creek Incident
Pace of 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 was warned for taking over 50 seconds for a shot.
Finally, in a moment straight out of satire, Spanish amateur Jose Luis Ballester went viral at the Masters—not for his play, but for relieving himself in Rae’s Creek due to a lack of nearby restrooms. In a club where even sitting on the grass is frowned upon, Ballester made an unforgettable splash in the 2025 golf yearbook.