A look back at 2025’s emotional turning points, personal stories, and unforgettable moments on and off the course.
2025 was a year rich with stories. Legendary careers came to an end, new paths were forged, and the game of golf delivered everything from heartbreak to celebration. Sometimes, a single putt is enough to define a year. Here’s the golf year in review.
Bernhard Langer’s Quiet Farewell at Augusta
Few images in golf speak louder than words. When Bernhard Langer stood on the 18th green at Augusta in April, the crowd rose to its feet. The two-time Masters champion took his final putt after 41 starts. He missed the cut, but that hardly mattered. What resonated was the decades Langer spent at Augusta, earning global respect. True to form, Langer remained composed and grateful, expressing his wish to return as a non-playing champion. A quiet exit for a giant who never sought the spotlight but was impossible to overlook.
Fire Threatens Riviera Country Club
While Augusta was filled with nostalgia, another iconic course faced a different kind of drama. Wildfires driven by strong winds forced tens of thousands to evacuate in California, bringing flames dangerously close to the historic Riviera Country Club. With nearly a century of legacy, including Olympic events and Major victories, the club found itself in the evacuation zone. As residents fled, emergency crews fought to protect one of golf’s most storied venues.
Personal Stories That Defined the Year
Beyond courses, it was people who shaped the year. On the Ladies European Tour, Laura Fünfstück brought warmth to the season by marrying fellow pro Rosie Davies. Days later, she was back on the tee. “Nice to think about my swing again instead of table linens,” she joked, highlighting the balance between personal life and professional focus.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods made headlines off the course. Reports linked him romantically to Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Both based in Florida, they were seen together often. With both families involved in junior golf, their paths naturally crossed. Amid injury recovery and the loss of his mother, Woods’ private life once again became public interest.
In Adelaide, LIV Golf delivered one of the year’s loudest moments. Patrick Reed’s hole-in-one on the infamous 12th “Watering Hole” sent fans into a frenzy. Drinks flew, cheers erupted, and Reed raised his arms in triumph. It felt more like a football game than golf—