A look back at 2025’s most emotional turning points, personal stories, and dramatic scenes on and off the course.
2025 was a year full of stories. Legendary careers came to an end, new paths were forged, and golf delivered a mix of farewells, fresh starts, crises, clarity, emotion, and 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
Some moments in golf speak louder than words. When Bernhard Langer stood on the 18th green at Augusta in April, the crowd rose to their feet as the two-time Masters champion took his final putt. It wasn’t enough to make the cut, but that hardly mattered. After 41 starts, Langer’s decades-long presence at Augusta earned global respect. Gracious and composed, Langer expressed gratitude and a desire to return as a non-playing champion. A quiet exit from a man who never sought the spotlight, yet was impossible to ignore.
Golf in the Face of Fire and Celebration
While Augusta was filled with nostalgia, another iconic course faced a different kind of drama. Wildfires in California, driven by strong winds, forced tens of thousands to evacuate and threatened the historic Riviera Country Club. With nearly a century of history and a stage for Olympic events and Major victories, Riviera found itself in the path of destruction. Firefighters battled to protect one of golf’s most storied venues.
Meanwhile, in Adelaide, LIV Golf delivered a moment of pure celebration. Patrick Reed’s hole-in-one on the infamous 12th, the “Watering Hole”, sent fans into a frenzy. Drinks flew, arms raised, and the atmosphere resembled a football match more than a golf tournament—exactly the kind of energy LIV Golf aims to create.
Personal Stories That Defined the Year
Beyond the courses, personal stories shaped the year. On the Ladies European Tour, 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 the delicate balance between personal life and professional sport.
Tiger Woods made headlines off the course as well. Reports linked him to Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Both based in Florida and active in junior golf through their children, the connection sparked media interest during a year in which Woods also faced injury and the