A look back at 2025’s most emotional golf moments—farewells, personal stories, and unforgettable scenes.
2025 was a year full of stories. Legendary careers came to an end, new paths were taken, and golf delivered everything from crisis to clarity, emotion to spectacle. Sometimes, a single putt is enough to define an entire year. Here’s our year in review.
Bernhard Langer’s Quiet Farewell at Augusta
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 honor the two-time Masters champion as he swung his putter one final time. After 41 appearances, it was time to say goodbye. He missed the cut, but no one cared. It was the decades of dedication that earned global respect. Langer remained composed—grateful, clear, and hopeful to return as a non-playing champion. A quiet exit for a giant who never sought the spotlight but was impossible to ignore.
Golf in the Face of Fire: Riviera Threatened
While Augusta was filled with memories, another historic course faced a different challenge. Wildfires fueled by strong winds forced tens of thousands to evacuate in California, threatening the iconic Riviera Country Club. With nearly a century of history, including Olympic events and Major victories, the course found itself in the fire zone. Emergency crews battled to protect one of golf’s most storied venues.
Personal Moments That Shaped the Year
Beyond the courses, personal stories made headlines. On the Ladies European Tour, Laura Fünfstück married fellow pro Rosie Davies, returning to competition just days later. “Nice to think about my swing again instead of tablecloths,” she joked, showing how intertwined personal life and pro golf can be.
Tiger Woods also returned to headlines—this time off the course. Reports linked him romantically to Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Both live in Florida and share ties through their children’s involvement in junior golf. While Woods faced a tough year with injuries and the loss of his mother, his private life once again drew attention.
At LIV Golf Adelaide, Patrick Reed electrified the crowd with a hole-in-one on the infamous 12th “Watering Hole.” Fans erupted, drinks flew, and the atmosphere resembled a football match—exactly the vibe LIV Golf aims for.