The 2025 golf season was anything but dull—controversies, fan drama, rule chaos and curious moments dominated the headlines.
From Ryder Cup drama to equipment scandals and viral moments, 2025 delivered a rollercoaster of emotions for golf fans worldwide. While athletic performances were strong, the spotlight often shifted to off-course headlines and unexpected controversies. Here’s our year in review.
Ryder Cup: Boos, Rule Changes and a Captain’s Dilemma
The 2025 Ryder Cup was full of surprises, none more so than Keegan Bradley’s dual role. After winning the Travelers Championship, he climbed to ninth in the Ryder Cup rankings—while already named team captain. The age-old question of whether a captain can also play was reignited, but ultimately Bradley stayed on the sidelines, opting for strategy over spectacle.
Meanwhile, fans took center stage. Rory McIlroy faced boos and heckling throughout the event, while Shane Lowry personally escorted a disruptive fan to security. Controversy also brewed over prize money: for the first time, only Team USA received official compensation. McIlroy quipped he’d pay to play on Sunday, while Scottie Scheffler pledged to donate his share.
Viktor Hovland’s neck injury triggered a rarely used rule: his opponent received half a point by default. The decision split opinion. And then there was the merchandise mishap—a shirt featuring a silhouette resembling McIlroy quietly disappeared from the Ryder Cup shop.
LIV, LPGA and Tech Trouble: Golf’s Ongoing Identity Crisis
Wesley Bryan’s appearance in a LIV-supported YouTube event led to his indefinite suspension by the PGA Tour, despite the event’s casual nature. Phil Mickelson called it a blow to entrepreneurial freedom, especially since the PGA had previously invited the host, Grant Horvat, to a Tour event. The PGA vs. LIV saga continued.
LPGA pro Sophia Popov faced heartbreak after being told she was eligible to compete—only to later learn she wasn’t. Her points and prize money were revoked due to an administrative error, costing her a shot at regaining her tour card.
Rory McIlroy’s driver failed a USGA test at the PGA Championship, sparking speculation about his Masters win. Though the PGA of America clarified the issue, McIlroy was frustrated that his name leaked while Scottie Scheffler’s similar issue remained anonymous.
Slow Play, Viral Moments and a Creekside Incident
Slow play remained a hot topic. Tom Kim credited the TGL’s shot clock for helping his pace, while Alejandro Tosti was accused of deliberately slowing play to disrupt opponents. At the Open Championship, rounds stretched to six hours, and J.J. Spaun was warned for exceeding the 50-second routine limit.
And finally, a moment of viral infamy: Spanish amateur Jose Luis Ballester, playing at the Masters, relieved himself in Rae’s Creek due to a lack of nearby restrooms. In a club where even sitting on the grass is frowned upon, Ballester’s act became an unforgettable footnote in golf’s 2025