A look back at 2025’s emotional turning points, personal stories and unforgettable scenes on and off the course.
2025 delivered a rich tapestry of golf stories. Legendary careers came to a close, new paths were forged, and the sport saw moments of crisis, clarity, emotion and spectacle. Sometimes, a single putt is all it takes 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 rare moments. After 41 starts, it was time to say goodbye. He missed the cut, but that hardly mattered. The decades Langer spent at Augusta earned him global respect. True to form, he remained composed and grateful, expressing his hope to return often as a non-playing champion. A quiet exit for a giant who never sought the spotlight, yet was impossible to ignore.
Golf in the Face of Fire and Celebration
While Augusta was filled with nostalgia, another iconic course in California faced a very different challenge. Wildfires, fueled by strong winds, forced tens of thousands to evacuate as flames approached Riviera Country Club. With nearly a century of history, including Olympic events, Major wins and celebrity appearances, Riviera found itself in the danger zone. Firefighters battled to protect one of golf’s most storied venues.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, LIV Golf Adelaide brought a different kind of heat. Patrick Reed’s hole-in-one on the infamous 12th hole, 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 match than a golf tournament—exactly the vibe LIV Golf aims to create.
Personal Stories That Defined the Year
On the Ladies European Tour, German pro Laura Fünfstück added a personal highlight by marrying fellow tour player Rosie Davies. Just days later, she was back on the course. “Nice to think about my swing again instead of tablecloths,” she joked, showing how closely personal life and professional golf intertwine.
Tiger Woods also made headlines—off the course. Reports linked him romantically with Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Both reside in Florida and share ties through junior golf. Amid a year marked