A look back at 2025’s emotional turning points, personal stories and unforgettable golf moments on and off the course.
2025 was a year full of stories. Legendary careers came to an end, while new paths were forged. Between farewells and fresh starts, crises and clarity, emotion and spectacle, golf had 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 rose to their feet as the two-time Masters champion took his final putt. After 41 appearances, it was time to say goodbye. He missed the cut, but that hardly mattered. It was the decades of dedication that earned him global respect. Langer remained composed and grateful, expressing his desire to return as a non-playing champion. A quiet exit for a giant who never sought the spotlight, yet was impossible to overlook.
Golf in the Face of Fire and Celebration
While Augusta echoed with memories, another historic course in California faced a different kind of challenge. Wildfires, fueled by strong winds, forced tens of thousands to evacuate and crept dangerously close to the Riviera Country Club. With nearly a century of history, including Olympic events and Major wins, the club found itself in the evacuation zone. Firefighters battled to protect one of golf’s most iconic venues.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, LIV Golf Adelaide delivered a moment of pure joy. Patrick Reed’s hole-in-one on the 12th hole, the infamous “Watering Hole,” sent the crowd into a frenzy. Drinks flew, fans roared, and Reed raised his arms in triumph. It felt more like a football match than a golf tournament—exactly the vibe LIV Golf aims for.
Personal Stories That Shaped the Year
Golf in 2025 was also defined by deeply personal moments. On the Ladies European Tour, Laura Fünfstück married fellow tour player Rosie Davies, returning to competition just days later. “Nice to focus on my swing again instead of tablecloths,” she joked, highlighting how tightly interwoven personal life and professional golf can be.
Tiger Woods also made headlines, not for his play, but for his rumored relationship with Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Both based in Florida and active in junior golf circles through their children