A look back at 2025: emotional farewells, personal stories, and unforgettable scenes on and off the golf course.
From quiet goodbyes to roaring celebrations, 2025 was a year full of defining moments in golf. Legendary careers came to a close, new paths were forged, and the sport witnessed both crisis and clarity. 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. When Bernhard Langer stood on the 18th green at Augusta in April, the crowd rose in tribute as the two-time Masters champion swung his putter one final time. After 41 starts, it was time to say goodbye. He missed the cut, but that hardly mattered. What resonated was the legacy Langer built over decades—not just in Germany, but globally. Calm and grateful, Langer expressed his wish to return often as a non-competing champion. A quiet exit from a giant who never sought the spotlight, yet was impossible to overlook.
Fire Threatens Riviera Country Club
While Augusta echoed with memories, California’s historic Riviera Country Club faced a different kind of challenge. Devastating wildfires, driven by strong winds, forced tens of thousands to evacuate and came dangerously close to this nearly century-old venue. Known for hosting Olympic events, Major victories, and Hollywood stars, Riviera found itself in the path of destruction. Emergency crews battled to protect one of golf’s most iconic courses as the fires raged nearby.
From Weddings to Wins: Golf’s Personal Side
Golf in 2025 wasn’t just about tournaments—it was also about life beyond the fairway. On the Ladies European Tour, Laura Fünfstück married fellow pro Rosie Davies and returned to competition just days later. “Nice to think about my swing again instead of table settings,” she joked, highlighting how closely personal life and professional sport intertwine.
Elsewhere, Tiger Woods made headlines off the course. Reportedly dating Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr., Woods was spotted several times in Florida with her. Both have children involved in junior golf, and while Woods faced a tough year with injuries and the loss of his mother, his private life once again drew public attention.
At LIV Golf Adelaide, Patrick Reed electrified fans with a hole-in-one on the 12th hole, the “Watering Hole.” The crowd erupted, drinks flew, and Reed