A look back at 2025’s most emotional golf moments—farewells, triumphs, and stories beyond the fairways.
2025 was a year packed with stories. Legendary careers came to a close, new paths were forged, and the game of golf offered everything from heartbreak to celebration. Sometimes, a single putt is enough to define an entire year. Here’s the 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 its feet as the two-time Masters champion took his final putt. After 41 appearances, it was time to say goodbye. He missed the cut, but that hardly mattered. What resonated was the decades he spent walking those hallowed fairways—earning respect not just in Germany, but globally. Langer remained composed, grateful, and expressed his wish to return as a non-playing champion. A quiet exit for a giant who never sought the spotlight, yet was impossible to overlook.
Fire Threatens Golf History in California
While Augusta echoed with memories, another historic course faced a different kind of drama. Wildfires driven by fierce winds forced tens of thousands to evacuate in California, coming dangerously close to the Riviera Country Club. With nearly a century of history, Riviera has hosted Olympic events, Majors, and countless stars from sports and film. As flames approached, emergency crews fought to protect one of golf’s most iconic venues.
From Love to LIV: Personal Stories That Moved Us
Golfers themselves also shaped the year in powerful ways. On the Ladies European Tour, Laura Fünfstück brought warmth to the season by marrying fellow pro Rosie Davies. Just days later, she was back on the course, smiling: “Nice to think about my swing again instead of table settings.” A reminder of how closely personal life and professional sport intertwine.
Elsewhere, Tiger Woods made headlines off the course. Reports linked him romantically with Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Both live in Florida and share ties through junior golf. In a year marked by injury and the loss of his mother, Woods’ private life once again became public conversation.
At LIV Golf Adelaide, Patrick Reed electrified fans with a hole-in-one on the infamous 12th “Watering Hole.” The crowd erupted—drinks flew, cheers roared, and Reed raised