A look back at 2025’s emotional turning points, personal stories and unforgettable scenes on and off the course.
2025 was a year full of stories. Legendary careers came to an end, new paths were forged, and golf delivered everything from farewells to fresh starts, crises to clarity, emotion to spectacle. Sometimes, a single putt is enough to define an entire season. Here’s the 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, fans rose to their feet as the two-time Masters champion took his final putt. It didn’t make the cut, but that hardly mattered. After 41 starts, Langer’s decades-long presence at Augusta earned global respect. Gracious and composed, he expressed his hope to return often as a non-playing champion. A quiet exit for a giant who never sought the spotlight, yet was impossible to overlook.
From Fire Hazards to LIV Cheers
While Augusta was steeped in memories, another iconic course faced a different kind of challenge. Wildfires in California, fueled by strong winds, forced tens of thousands to evacuate and came dangerously close to the Riviera Country Club. With nearly a century of history and a legacy of Majors and Olympic moments, the club stood in the path of destruction. Emergency crews battled to protect one of golf’s most storied venues.
Meanwhile, LIV Golf Adelaide delivered a very different kind of drama. Patrick Reed’s hole-in-one on the 12th, known as the “Watering Hole,” sent the crowd into a frenzy. Drinks flew, fans roared, and Reed raised his arms in triumph. The scene felt more like a football match than a golf tournament—exactly the vibe LIV Golf aims for.
Personal Moments: From Love to Loss
On the Ladies European Tour, Laura Fünfstück added a heartfelt chapter by marrying fellow pro Rosie Davies. Just days later, she was back on the course. “Nice to think about my swing again instead of tablecloths,” she joked, highlighting the delicate balance between personal life and professional focus.
Tiger Woods made headlines off the course as well, reportedly dating Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Both based in Florida and connected through junior golf, their relationship added another layer to a year in which Woods also faced injury and the loss of his mother.