A look back at 2025’s emotional turning points, personal stories, and unforgettable scenes on and off the course.
From quiet goodbyes to roaring celebrations, 2025 was a year packed with stories that defined the spirit of golf. Legendary careers came to a close, new paths were forged, and moments of crisis and clarity shaped the narrative. 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, but when Bernhard Langer stood on the 18th green at Augusta in April, the crowd rising to its feet as the two-time Masters champion took his final putt, it was one of those rare moments. After 41 starts, Langer bid farewell—not with a made cut, but with decades of respect earned on golf’s grandest stage. Calm, grateful, and poised, Langer exited as he played: with dignity and grace, hoping to return as a non-playing champion.
Golf in the Face of Fire: Riviera’s Close Call
While Augusta was filled with nostalgia, California’s Riviera Country Club faced a different kind of drama. Devastating wildfires, fueled by strong winds, forced tens of thousands to evacuate, with flames nearing the historic venue. Known for hosting Olympic events, Majors, and Hollywood’s elite, Riviera found itself in the evacuation zone. As emergency crews battled to protect the area, the golf world held its breath for one of its most iconic courses.
Personal Stories: Love, Family, and Resilience
Beyond the courses, personal milestones made headlines. On the Ladies European Tour, German golfer Laura Fünfstück married fellow pro Rosie Davies, returning to competition just days later. “Nice to think about my swing again instead of tablecloths,” she joked, highlighting how intertwined personal life and professional golf can be.
Tiger Woods also returned to headlines, not for his play, but for a rumored relationship with Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Both based in Florida and with children active in junior golf, their connection reignited public interest in Woods’ private life amid a year marked by injury and personal loss.
At LIV Golf Adelaide, Patrick Reed electrified fans with a hole-in-one on the infamous 12th “Watering Hole.” The crowd erupted, drinks flew, and the celebration resembled a football match more than a golf tournament—exactly the kind of spectacle LIV Golf aims to deliver.