2025 was a glorious year for golf. Top of the list is Rory McIlroy winning the career Grand Slam in the 89th Masters, on his 11th attempt. It was a roller-coaster round of emotions that left us drained and elated for the man from Northern Ireland.
Justin Rose shot an amazing 66 in the final round on Sunday to catch McIlroy and force a playoff. It didn’t last long, on the par-4 18th where he had bogeyed on the final hole of regulation, McIlroy hit a 125-yard gap wedge that landed on a slope behind the pin and rolled back down to four feet. After Rose missed a 15-foot birdie attempt, McIlroy sank his putt and dropped to the ground, a decade long burden at last replaced by victory.
McIlroy, 35, joined Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as players with at least one victory at the Masters, U.S. Open, The Open Championship and the PGA Championship.
“There were points in my career where I didn’t know if I would have this nice garment over my shoulders,” McIlroy said as he conducted his post round press conference in his Green Jacket. “I didn’t make it easy today. I was nervous. It was one of the toughest days I’ve ever had on a golf course.”
If Rory’s win wasn’t enough, we were treated to even more drama and exaltation at the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont when J.J. Spaun birdied four of his last seven holes, including an improbable, may we say miracle, 64-footer on the 72nd hole to win the championship.
Does it get any better than J.J. Spaun’s win at the U.S. Open? Hold onto your hat because 2025 in golf did provide more amazing moments.
Fan favorite, Tommy Fleetwood won the 2025 FedExCup by capturing the Tour Championship in August 2025, securing his first PGA Tour title in his 164th attempt and earning the $10 million prize. The victory was a major career milestone, celebrating his perseverance after many close calls.
Of course, in the world of golf there is only one World #1 and that’s Scottie Scheffler who claimed the Jack Nicklaus Award as the PGA Tour Player of the Year.
Scheffler, a 19-time PGA Tour winner who won six times in 2025, including two majors – the PGA Championship and The Open Championship – is just the second player to win the award four or more consecutive times (Tiger Woods 1999-2003).
Scottie will have a chance to complete his career Grand Slam next summer at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island, NY, June 18 – 21. His birthday is June 21 so we are getting into the potential for Shakesperian stuff next year.
2025 was indeed a great year for golf by all accounts-the dramatic wins, the Ryder Cup at Bethpage (not so great for the U.S.), the Walker Cup and so much more.
We hope you had a memorable 2025 and look forward to making even more memories on the golf course in the New Year. We are inspired by our heroes on the PGA and LPGA Tours as we find joy in their successes and empathy in their failures.
Happy New Year in golf 2026!
