The 2025 golf year was packed with emotional farewells, personal stories and unforgettable moments on and off the course.
From quiet goodbyes to roaring celebrations, the 2025 golf season delivered a full spectrum of emotions. Legendary careers came to a close, new paths were forged, and personal milestones intertwined with professional triumphs and setbacks. Sometimes, a single putt or a moment of silence can 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 in tribute, it was one of those rare moments. After 41 starts at the Masters, the two-time champion bid farewell. His final putt missed the cut, but that was beside the point. It was the decades of dedication and grace that earned global respect. Langer, ever composed, expressed gratitude and a desire to return as a non-playing champion. A quiet exit for a giant of the game.
Fire Threatens Riviera, LIV Ignites Adelaide
While Augusta echoed with memories, California’s Riviera Country Club faced a very different challenge. Raging wildfires, fueled by strong winds, forced mass evacuations and came dangerously close to the historic venue. With nearly a century of golfing legacy, Riviera—host to Olympic events, Majors, and Hollywood legends—stood in the path of destruction. Emergency crews battled to protect one of golf’s most iconic courses.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, LIV Golf Adelaide brought the noise. Patrick Reed’s hole-in-one on the infamous 12th “Watering Hole” sent the crowd into a frenzy. Drinks flew, fans roared, and Reed basked in the chaos. It felt more like a football match than a golf event—exactly the vibe LIV aims to create.
Personal Moments: From Weddings to Withdrawals
Golf in 2025 wasn’t just about tournaments. Laura Fünfstück added a personal highlight by marrying fellow pro Rosie Davies, then quickly returned to the Ladies European Tour. “Nice to think about my swing again instead of tablecloths,” she joked, showing how life and sport often blend seamlessly.
Tiger Woods made headlines off the course, reportedly dating Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Both based in Florida and active in junior golf circles, their connection sparked curiosity during a year in which Woods also faced personal loss and injury.
For Sepp Straka, family came first