A look back at emotional turning points, personal stories, and powerful scenes on and off the course in 2025.
The 2025 golf season was filled with stories. Legendary careers came to a close, new paths were forged, and the sport delivered everything from crisis to clarity, emotion to spectacle. 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 rising as the two-time Masters champion took his final putt, it was one of those rare moments. After 41 starts, 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 respect not just in Germany, but globally. Langer himself remained composed, grateful, and expressed hope to return often as a non-playing champion. A quiet exit for a giant who never sought the spotlight, yet was impossible to miss.
From Fire to Celebration: A Year of Contrasts
While Augusta was filled with nostalgia, another historic course in California faced a different kind of drama. Wildfires, fueled by strong winds, forced tens of thousands to evacuate and came dangerously close to Riviera Country Club. A nearly 100-year-old venue, host to Olympic events, Major wins, and Hollywood legends, Riviera found itself in the evacuation zone. As homes were abandoned, emergency crews fought to protect one of golf’s most iconic courses.
Meanwhile, LIV Golf Adelaide brought the noise. Patrick Reed’s hole-in-one on the 12th—known as the “Watering Hole”—sent fans into a frenzy. Drinks flew, cheers erupted, and Reed raised his arms in triumph. The scene resembled a football game more than a golf tournament—exactly the vibe LIV Golf aims to create.
Personal Stories That Defined the Season
Beyond the courses, players’ lives shaped the year. On the Ladies European Tour, Laura Fünfstück added a heartwarming chapter by marrying fellow pro Rosie Davies. Just days later, she was back competing. “Nice to think about my swing again instead of table settings,” she joked, showing how closely personal life and professional golf intertwine.
Tiger Woods also made headlines—this time off the course. Reports linked him romantically to Vanessa Trump