The 2025 golf season was anything but dull—controversies, fan drama, rules chaos, and unexpected stars stole the spotlight.
From rule debates to fan outbursts and bizarre moments, 2025 delivered a golf season full of drama. While athletic performances impressed, the headlines were often dominated by off-course narratives. Here’s a look back at the most talked-about stories of the year.
Ryder Cup drama: Captains, crowds, and controversies
The 2025 Ryder Cup was a stage for unexpected plot twists. Team USA captain Keegan Bradley found himself ranked ninth in the Ryder Cup standings after winning the Travelers Championship—while still serving as captain. The age-old question of whether a captain can also play was reignited, but Bradley ultimately chose to remain on the sidelines, a wise sporting decision but a dramatic letdown.
Fan behavior took center stage, especially with Rory McIlroy enduring boos and noise during putts. Shane Lowry even escorted a fan to security. Meanwhile, a new controversy brewed over prize money: Team USA received official compensation, while Team Europe did not. Scottie Scheffler pledged to donate his share, and McIlroy quipped he’d pay to play on Ryder Cup Sunday.
Injuries also stirred debate. Viktor Hovland’s neck injury activated an obscure rule, granting his opponent half a point without a single shot played. Opinions were split on the fairness of this outcome. And then there was the merchandise mishap—a Ryder Cup shirt featuring a swing eerily similar to McIlroy’s silhouette quietly disappeared from the shop.
PGA vs. LIV, LPGA mix-ups, and tech troubles
The ongoing PGA vs. LIV saga added another chapter when Wesley Bryan was suspended by the PGA Tour for participating in a LIV-supported YouTube event. Ironically, the host of the event, Grant Horvat, had been invited to a PGA Tour event. Phil Mickelson criticized the suspension as 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 due to an administrative error, derailing her quest for a 2026 tour card.
Equipment also made headlines when McIlroy’s driver failed a USGA test during the PGA Championship