A look back at 2025’s emotional turning points, personal stories and unforgettable moments on and off the course.
2025 was a year full of stories. Legendary careers came to a close, new paths were forged, and the sport of golf delivered everything from heartbreak to celebration. Sometimes, a single putt is enough to define an entire year. Here’s the year in review.
One Last Augusta – Bernhard Langer’s Quiet Farewell
Few images in golf speak louder than words. But when Bernhard Langer stood on the 18th green at Augusta in April, the crowd rose to its feet as the two-time Masters champion took his final putt. After 41 appearances, it was time to say goodbye. The putt didn’t make the cut, but that hardly mattered. What resonated was the decades Langer spent at Augusta, earning global respect. Langer remained composed and grateful, expressing his hope to return as a non-playing champion. A quiet exit for a giant who never sought the spotlight but was impossible to ignore.
Between Glory and Smoke
While Augusta echoed with memories, another historic course in California faced a different kind of challenge. Wildfires, driven by strong winds, forced tens of thousands to evacuate and crept dangerously close to the Riviera Country Club. A venue with nearly a century of history—host to Olympic events, Major wins, and celebrity tournaments—was in the evacuation zone. As families fled, emergency crews fought to protect one of golf’s most iconic courses from disaster.
Moments That Moved the Golf World
Not just places, but people shaped 2025 in unique ways. On the Ladies European Tour, Laura Fünfstück added a personal highlight by marrying fellow tour pro Rosie Davies. Just days later, she was back on the course. “Nice to think about my swing again instead of tablecloths,” she joked, showing how closely personal life and professional golf intertwine.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods made headlines off the course. Reports linked him romantically to Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Both live in Florida and were seen together multiple times. With Woods’ children and Trump’s daughter active in junior golf, their paths naturally crossed. Amid a year marked by injury and the loss of his mother, Woods’ private life once again drew public attention.
In Adelaide, LIV Golf delivered one of the year’s loudest moments. Patrick Reed’s hole-in-one on the 12th hole—known as the “