A look back at the emotional turning points, personal stories, and dramatic scenes that shaped golf in 2025.
From quiet farewells to roaring celebrations, 2025 was a year of powerful stories in golf. Legendary careers came to a close, new paths were forged, and the sport delivered moments of crisis, clarity, 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 as the two-time Masters champion took his final putt. It didn’t make the cut, but that didn’t matter. After 41 appearances, it was time to say goodbye. Langer’s decades at Augusta earned global respect. True to form, he remained composed and grateful, expressing his wish to return as a non-playing champion. A quiet exit for a giant who never sought the spotlight, yet was impossible to overlook.
From Fire to Festivities: A Year of Contrasts
While Augusta echoed with memories, California’s Riviera Country Club faced a different kind of drama. Historic and iconic, the course came under threat as wildfires, driven by strong winds, forced mass evacuations. The nearly century-old venue, host to Olympic events and Major victories, found itself in the fire’s path. Emergency crews battled to protect one of golf’s most storied locations.
Meanwhile, joy lit up the LIV Golf event in Adelaide. Patrick Reed’s hole-in-one on the infamous 12th, the “Watering Hole,” sent fans into a frenzy. Drinks flew, cheers erupted, and Reed raised his arms in triumph. It felt more like a football game than a golf tournament—exactly the vibe LIV Golf aims to create.
Personal Stories That Moved the Golf World
On the Ladies European Tour, German golfer Laura Fünfstück brought warmth to the season by marrying fellow pro Rosie Davies. Just days later, she was back on the course. “Nice to think about my swing again instead of tablecloths,” she joked, highlighting the tightrope walk between personal life and professional golf.
Tiger Woods also made headlines—this time off the course. 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 junior golf involvement. Amid injury recovery