The 2025 golf season was anything but dull—controversies, fan drama, rule chaos and bizarre headlines shaped the year.
From Ryder Cup drama to viral moments at Augusta, 2025 delivered a whirlwind of stories that extended far beyond the leaderboard. While athletic performances were strong, it was the off-course antics and controversies that often stole the spotlight. Here’s a look back at the most talked-about moments from the year in golf.
Ryder Cup Chaos: Booing Fans, Rule Changes and a Captain’s Dilemma
The 2025 Ryder Cup was full of unexpected twists. Team USA captain Keegan Bradley found himself ranked ninth in the Ryder Cup standings after winning the Travelers Championship—sparking debate over whether a captain should also play. A rule tweak allowed it, but Bradley chose to stay on the sidelines, much to the disappointment of drama-seeking fans.
The fans, however, brought plenty of drama themselves. Rory McIlroy was met with loud boos and heckling from American crowds, while Shane Lowry escorted a disruptive fan to security. Meanwhile, a new controversy emerged: for the first time, only Team USA received official prize money, prompting McIlroy to quip he’d pay to play on Sunday.
Adding to the chaos, Viktor Hovland’s neck injury activated an old rule: his opponent was awarded half a point without hitting a shot. Opinions were split. And then there was the merchandise scandal—a Ryder Cup shirt featuring a silhouette suspiciously resembling McIlroy quietly disappeared from the shop.
PGA vs. LIV, Equipment Failures and Administrative Blunders
The ongoing PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf saga took another turn when Wesley Bryan was suspended indefinitely for playing in a LIV-supported YouTube event called “The Duels.” Ironically, Grant Horvat, host of the channel, had been invited to PGA events. Phil Mickelson called the suspension an attack on entrepreneurial freedom.
On the LPGA side, Sophia Popov faced heartbreak after being told she could play—only to later learn she wasn’t eligible. Her points and prize money were revoked, effectively ending her Tour card hopes. The LPGA called it an administrative error.
Rory McIlroy was also in the spotlight when his driver failed a USGA test at the PGA Championship. Though the results were supposed to remain confidential, news leaked, sparking speculation about his Masters win. While the PGA of America downplayed it, McIlroy criticized the selective leaking—especially since Scottie Scheffler’s failed test remained anonymous.
Slow Play, Shot Clocks and One Very Public Bathroom Break
Slow play remained a hot topic. Tom Kim admitted the TGL’s shot clock helped him speed up, while Alejandro Tosti was accused of deliberately slowing down to disrupt opponents. At the Open Championship, rounds stretched to six hours, and J.J. Spaun was even warned for taking over 50 seconds for a shot.
And finally, the most bizarre moment of the year: Spanish amateur Jose Luis Ballester, playing at the Masters, couldn’t find a restroom and relieved himself in Rae’s Creek. The moment went viral