A look back at 2025 in golf: emotional turning points, personal stories, and unforgettable scenes on and off the course.
The 2025 golf season was rich in stories. Legendary careers came to an end, new paths were forged, and the sport delivered everything from farewells to fresh starts, crises to clarity, and emotion to spectacle. Sometimes, a single putt is enough to define an entire year.
Bernhard Langer’s Quiet Farewell at Augusta
Few images in golf speak louder than words. One such moment came when Bernhard Langer stood on the 18th green at Augusta in April. The crowd rose as the two-time Masters champion took his final putt. It didn’t make the cut, but that hardly mattered. What resonated was the legacy of 41 appearances and decades of grace and excellence. Langer, ever humble, expressed gratitude and a wish to return as a non-playing champion. A quiet exit for a giant who never sought the spotlight but could never be overlooked.
From Wildfires to Weddings: Golf’s Human Side
While Augusta was filled with nostalgia, another iconic course faced danger. Wildfires driven by strong winds forced evacuations near California’s Riviera Country Club, a nearly century-old venue steeped in history and host to Majors, Olympians, and celebrities. Firefighters battled to protect one of golf’s most storied grounds as thousands fled the area.
Meanwhile, on the Ladies European Tour, joy took center stage. German golfer Laura Fünfstück married fellow pro Rosie Davies, then returned to competition just days later. “Nice to focus on my swing again instead of tablecloths,” she joked, highlighting how closely intertwined personal life and professional golf can be.
And then there was Tiger Woods, who made headlines not for his game but his personal life. Reports linked him to Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Both live in Florida and share ties through their children’s junior golf involvement. Amid injury recovery and the loss of his mother, Woods once again found his private life under the spotlight.
Celebrations, Sacrifices, and Setbacks
At LIV Golf Adelaide, Patrick Reed ignited the crowd with a hole-in-one on the 12th hole, the infamous “Watering Hole.” The scene turned into a party, with drinks flying and fans roaring—more football match than golf tournament, just as LIV intends.
Off the course, Sepp Straka