The 2025 golf year brought emotional turning points, personal stories, and dramatic scenes on and off the course.
From quiet goodbyes to loud celebrations, 2025 was a year full of stories. Legendary careers came to a close, new paths were forged, and the sport delivered everything from crisis to clarity, emotion to spectacle. Sometimes, one putt is enough to define an entire year. Here’s the year in review.
Bernhard Langer’s Final Augusta Walk
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. The two-time Masters champion made his final appearance after 41 starts. Though he missed the cut, the moment was about legacy, not leaderboard. Langer, ever composed and grateful, bid farewell with dignity, expressing his hope to return as a non-playing champion. A quiet exit for a giant of the game.
Golf in the Face of Fire and Celebration
While Augusta echoed with memories, another iconic course faced a different challenge. Wildfires driven by strong winds threatened the Riviera Country Club in California, forcing mass evacuations. The nearly century-old venue, host to Majors and Olympic events, stood in the path of destruction. Fire crews battled to protect one of golf’s most storied sites.
Meanwhile, LIV Golf Adelaide delivered one of the year’s most electric moments. Patrick Reed’s hole-in-one on the infamous “Watering Hole” at the 12th ignited a wild celebration. Fans erupted, drinks flew, and the scene resembled a football match more than a golf event—exactly the vibe LIV Golf aims for.
Personal Stories That Moved the Golf World
On the Ladies European Tour, Laura Fünfstück added a personal highlight by marrying fellow tour pro Rosie Davies. Days later, she was back on the course, smiling and ready to compete. “Nice to think about my swing again instead of tablecloths,” she joked, showing how tightly personal life and pro golf intertwine.
Tiger Woods also made headlines, not for his play but his private life. Rumors swirled about a relationship with Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Both based in Florida and active in junior golf circles, their connection drew attention during a tough year for Woods, marked by injury and the loss of his mother.
Sepp Straka chose family over competition, skipping the