The 2025 golf season was anything but dull—controversies, fan drama and bizarre moments dominated the headlines.
From Ryder Cup drama to equipment controversies and viral moments, 2025 delivered a rollercoaster of stories that went far beyond the fairways. Here’s a look back at the year’s most talked-about moments in golf.
Ryder Cup Reboot: Captains, Fans and Forgotten Rules
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 could also play. Though rules were adjusted to allow it, Bradley ultimately stayed on the sidelines—strategic, but anticlimactic.
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy faced a chorus of boos from American fans, and Shane Lowry personally escorted a heckler to security. In a controversial move, only Team USA received official prize money this year. 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 was awarded half a point without a single shot played. The match was halved, and so were opinions on the rule’s fairness. Adding to the oddities, a Ryder Cup shop shirt featuring a swing eerily similar to McIlroy’s quietly disappeared from shelves after sparking speculation.
PGA vs. LIV, Equipment Drama and Administrative Blunders
The PGA Tour suspended Wesley Bryan indefinitely after he played in a LIV-supported YouTube event called “The Duels.” Ironically, Grant Horvat—the host—was later invited to a PGA event. Phil Mickelson criticized the suspension as an attack on entrepreneurial freedom, adding fuel to the ongoing PGA vs. LIV saga.
LPGA pro Sophia Popov played three tournaments after receiving clearance from the tour—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 anyway. Questions arose about the legality of his Masters win, though the PGA of America later clarified the issue. Scottie Scheffler’s driver also failed—but his identity remained protected, leaving McIlroy frustrated by the selective leak.
Slow Play, Shot Clocks and a Viral Creek Moment
Slow play remained a hot topic. Tom Kim praised the TGL’s shot clock for helping him speed up. Alejandro Tosti was accused of deliberately slowing down to disrupt opponents. At The Open Championship, rounds stretched to six hours, and J.J. Spaun received a warning for taking over 50 seconds on a shot.
In perhaps the most bizarre moment of the year, Spanish amateur Jose Luis Ballester went viral after relieving himself in Rae’s Creek during the Masters. With no restroom nearby, he chose nature’s course—earning applause from spectators and a permanent place in golf’s 2025 highlight reel.