A look back at 2025: emotional farewells, personal milestones and dramatic moments on and off the course.
2025 delivered a full spectrum of stories in the world of golf. From career farewells and personal triumphs to natural disasters and viral moments, the year was packed with emotion, spectacle, and resilience. Sometimes, a single putt is enough to define a 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, the crowd rose in tribute. The two-time Masters champion made his final appearance after 41 starts. Though he missed the cut, the moment transcended scores. Langer’s decades-long presence at Augusta earned global respect. Grateful and composed, he expressed his wish to return as a non-playing champion. A quiet exit for a legend who never sought the spotlight but was impossible to ignore.
Fire Threatens Riviera Country Club
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 near California’s Riviera Country Club. The nearly century-old venue, host to Olympic events and Major victories, found itself in the fire zone. As flames approached, emergency crews battled to protect one of golf’s most iconic settings.
Personal Stories: Love, Family and Resilience
Golf in 2025 wasn’t just about tournaments. On the Ladies European Tour, Laura Fünfstück married fellow pro Rosie Davies, then returned to competition days later. “Nice to think about my swing again instead of table settings,” she joked, highlighting the balance between personal life and pro golf.
Tiger Woods made headlines off the course, reportedly dating Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Both live in Florida and share ties through junior golf. Amid injury setbacks and the loss of his mother, Woods’ private life again took center stage.
At LIV Golf Adelaide, Patrick Reed electrified fans with a hole-in-one at the raucous 12th hole, the “Watering Hole.” Drinks flew, fans roared, and Reed celebrated in football-style frenzy—exactly the kind of spectacle LIV aims for.
Sepp Straka skipped the