A look back at 2025’s emotional turning points, personal stories and unforgettable scenes on and off the course.
The year 2025 delivered a full spectrum of golf stories. Legendary careers came to an end, new paths were forged, and moments of crisis and clarity shaped the sport. From quiet farewells to roaring celebrations, golf had it all this year. Sometimes, a single putt is enough to define an entire season.
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 to its feet as the two-time Masters champion took his final putt. After 41 starts, it was time to say goodbye. Though he missed the cut, the moment was about legacy, not scorecards. Langer’s decades at Augusta earned him global respect. True to form, he remained composed and grateful, expressing hope to return as a non-competing champion. A quiet exit for a giant who never sought the spotlight but was impossible to overlook.
From Fire to Festivities: Golf’s Contrasts in 2025
While Augusta was steeped in nostalgia, another iconic venue faced a different kind of drama. Wildfires driven by strong winds forced tens of thousands to evacuate near California’s Riviera Country Club. With nearly a century of history, including Majors and Olympic moments, Riviera found itself in the fire zone. Emergency crews battled to protect one of golf’s most storied courses.
Meanwhile, on the Ladies European Tour, German pro Laura Fünfstück brought warmth to the season with her wedding to fellow golfer Rosie Davies. Just days later, she was back on the course. “Nice to think about my swing again instead of tablecloths,” she joked, highlighting how closely personal life and professional golf intertwine.
Elsewhere, Tiger Woods made headlines off the course. Reports linked him romantically to Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Both based in Florida, the pair were seen together multiple times. With both families involved in junior golf, their paths naturally crossed. Amid injury recovery and the loss of his mother, Woods’ private life once again drew public attention.
Moments That Moved the Golf World
At LIV Golf Adelaide, Patrick Reed electrified the crowd with a hole-in-one on the infamous 12th hole, the “Watering Hole.” Fans erupted, drinks flew, and Reed raised his arms in triumph. The scene felt more like a football match than a golf tournament—exactly the