The 2025 golf season was anything but dull—controversies, fan chaos, and rule drama stole the spotlight.
From rule debates to fan outbursts and unexpected headlines, 2025 delivered a rollercoaster of moments that shook the golf world. Let’s take a look back at the most talked-about stories of the year.
Ryder Cup Chaos: Booing Fans and a Playing Captain Dilemma
The 2025 Ryder Cup was filled with off-course drama. Team USA captain Keegan Bradley made headlines by qualifying as a player after winning the Travelers Championship, sparking debate over whether captains should compete. Despite the buzz, Bradley stayed on the sidelines, choosing strategy over spectacle.
Meanwhile, fans made their presence known—especially when Rory McIlroy faced a chorus of boos and noise during his putts. Shane Lowry even escorted a fan to security. The controversy didn’t stop there: For the first time, only Team USA received official prize money, prompting McIlroy to quip he’d pay to play on Sunday.
Viktor Hovland’s neck injury triggered an obscure rule, awarding his opponent half a point without a single shot played. And in a quieter but equally strange twist, a T-shirt featuring McIlroy’s silhouette mysteriously vanished from the Ryder Cup shop.
PGA vs. LIV, Popov’s LPGA Nightmare, and Driver Drama
The PGA-LIV saga continued when Wesley Bryan was suspended for playing in a LIV-backed YouTube event. Ironically, the channel’s host, Grant Horvat, had been invited to PGA events. Phil Mickelson called the suspension a threat to entrepreneurial freedom.
LPGA pro 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,” costing her a shot at a 2026 tour card.
Rory McIlroy’s driver failed a USGA test at the PGA Championship, a detail that leaked despite confidentiality. Speculation swirled about his Masters win, while Scottie Scheffler’s failed driver test remained anonymous. McIlroy criticized the selective leaking of information.
Slow Play, Shot Clocks, and a Viral Creek Incident
Slow play remained a hot topic. Tom Kim praised TGL’s shot clock for helping his pace, while Alejandro Tosti was accused of using slow play as a tactic. At the Open Championship, rounds stretched to six hours, and J.J. Spaun was warned for a 50-second pre-shot routine.
Finally, in one of the year’s most bizarre moments, Spanish amateur Jose Luis Ballester relieved himself in Rae’s Creek during the Masters due to a lack of nearby restrooms. The moment went viral—proving once again that golf’s most memorable moments aren’t always on the scorecard.