From Ryder Cup drama to LIV suspensions and viral Masters moments — 2025 was a wild year in golf.
The 2025 golf season was anything but dull. While the sport delivered impressive performances, headlines were dominated by off-course controversies, rule debates, fan incidents, and bizarre twists. Here’s our year in review.
Ryder Cup Reboots and Fan Frenzies
The Ryder Cup 2025 was full of unexpected narratives. Keegan Bradley, named captain of Team USA, won the Travelers Championship and climbed to ninth in the Ryder Cup rankings — sparking debate on whether a captain should also play. Despite a rule change allowing it, Bradley opted to remain on the sidelines, a decision that was smart but perhaps anticlimactic.
Meanwhile, fans made their own headlines. Rory McIlroy faced loud boos and distractions from American crowds, while Shane Lowry had to escort a fan to security. Prize money became a hot topic as Team USA received official compensation for the first time — Team Europe did not. Scottie Scheffler pledged to donate his share, while McIlroy quipped he’d pay to play on Sunday.
Viktor Hovland’s neck injury triggered a rarely used rule: his opponent received half a point without a single shot played. The decision split opinions. And in a quieter controversy, a Ryder Cup shop shirt featuring a McIlroy-like silhouette mysteriously vanished from shelves.
PGA vs. LIV, Equipment Drama and Administrative Chaos
Wesley Bryan was suspended by the PGA Tour after playing in a LIV-supported YouTube event called “The Duels.” Phil Mickelson criticized the move as a blow to entrepreneurial freedom, especially since the PGA had previously invited the host, Grant Horvat, to events. The PGA vs. LIV saga continued.
On the LPGA side, Sophia Popov played three tournaments after receiving clearance — only to be told later she wasn’t eligible. Her points and prize money were revoked due to an “administrative error,” effectively ending her bid for a 2026 tour card.
Rory McIlroy’s driver failed a USGA test during the PGA Championship — a result that was supposed to remain confidential but leaked. Speculation swirled about his Masters win until the PGA of America clarified the situation. Scottie Scheffler’s driver also failed, but his name remained anonymous. McIlroy expressed frustration over the selective leak.
Slow Play, Shot Clocks and a Viral Creek Moment
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, rounds stretched to six hours in tough links conditions. J.J. Spaun was even warned for exceeding the 50-second routine limit.
Finally, a moment that went viral for all the wrong reasons: Spanish amateur Jose Luis Ballester, playing at the Masters, couldn’t find a restroom and relieved himself in Rae’s Creek. In a club where sitting on the grass is frowned upon, Ballester’s act became an unforgettable — and controversial — part of golf’s 2025 story.