The 2025 golf season was anything but dull—controversies, rule chaos, fan drama and unexpected headlines defined the year.
From Ryder Cup drama to viral moments at Augusta, the 2025 golf season delivered more than just athletic excellence. It was a year of heated debates, bizarre incidents, and rulebook rewrites. Here’s our look back at the most talked-about moments in golf this year.
Ryder Cup Chaos: Booing, Rule Changes and a Silent Captain
The 2025 Ryder Cup was full of surprises, none bigger than Keegan Bradley’s dual role. After winning the Travelers Championship, he climbed to ninth in the Ryder Cup rankings—while already named captain. A rule change allowed him to play, but he chose to stay on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy faced relentless booing from U.S. fans, and Shane Lowry escorted a heckler to security. Prize money became a hot topic too—Team USA got paid, Team Europe didn’t. Viktor Hovland’s neck injury triggered an old rule, awarding his opponent half a point without a single shot played. And let’s not forget the mysterious McIlroy-like silhouette on Ryder Cup merchandise that quietly disappeared.
PGA vs. LIV: Suspensions, YouTube and Mixed Messages
Wesley Bryan’s appearance in a LIV-supported YouTube event led to his indefinite suspension by the PGA Tour. Phil Mickelson criticized the move as a blow to entrepreneurial freedom. Ironically, the PGA had invited Grant Horvat—the host of the event—to a Tour event. The LIV-PGA saga continued to blur lines and stir controversy.
Tech Fails, Slow Play and Viral Bathroom Breaks
Rory McIlroy’s driver failed a USGA test at the PGA Championship, sparking speculation about his Masters win. The leak raised eyebrows, especially since Scottie Scheffler’s failed test remained anonymous. Slow play was another hot topic: Tom Kim embraced the TGL shot clock, while Alejandro Tosti was accused of using slow play as a tactic. At The Open, rounds stretched to six hours, and J.J. Spaun got a warning for a 50-second pre-shot routine. And in perhaps the most bizarre moment of the year, Spanish amateur Jose Luis Ballester went viral for relieving himself in Rae’s Creek during the Masters—earning applause and a permanent place in golf’s 2025 highlight reel.