There was no shortage of storylines during the 2025 season, with Scottie Scheffler continuing his dominance, Rory McIlroy securing his spot in one of golf’s most exclusive clubs, and Nelly Korda going the entire year without winning on the LPGA.
It is certainly going to be extremely difficult for 2026 to hit the same heights as its predecessor.
For starters, there is no Ryder Cup to look forward to. Meanwhile, everyone is going to wonder what the point of heading to Augusta National is now that Rory McIlroy has completed the Career Grand Slam – more on that later.
There is still time to revel in some of the high points of this year. With that, here is a look at potentially the five best events of 2025.
The five best golfing events of 2025
5. The Tour Championship
While the final hour of the Tour Championship was not overly exciting, there were few events which provided more satisfaction this year.
Tommy Fleetwood finally won on the PGA Tour for the very first time, in the process landing the FedEx Cup.
And there was drama at East Lake with the likes of Patrick Cantlay, Russell Henley, Scottie Scheffler, and Keegan Bradley threatening to snatch the title away from the Englishman.
4. The Players Championship
No one would have realised at the time just how significant The Players Championship would prove to be in the season.
J.J. Spaun came agonisingly close to winning at TPC Sawgrass, leaving his putt on the 72nd hole in the jaws of the hole. What awaited him was a Monday playoff with Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy made a statement with his thunderous drive on the first playoff hole. And when Spaun found the water on 17, it all but confirmed the Northern Irishman’s second win at the PGA Tour’s flagship event.
Spaun’s time in the spotlight would come at the US Open later in the year as he clinched his first major title.
3. The Ryder Cup
In almost any other applicable year, the Ryder Cup would be by far and away the number one. However, the 2025 event at Bethpage Black was arguably one of the big disappointments of the year.
Obviously, sections of the crowd conducted themselves terribly. But the gulf between Europe and the USA over the first two days was remarkable.
The way Keegan Bradley had Bethpage set up led to one of the most anticlimactic Ryder Cups ever – when you consider how much of a monster the New York course was expected to be for the previous decade.
Was Bethpage the biggest disappointment at the 2025 Ryder Cup?
There was certainly excitement on Sunday as Team USA threatened to pull off the most remarkable comeback. But there is no question that the event did not live up to expectations.
2. The Evian Championship
No tour arguably has the strength in depth right now that the LPGA possesses. They had 29 different winners in 2025 – and none were named Nelly Korda.
While Jeeno Thitikul had the most impressive year, it was an event she lost in a playoff which was arguably the most exciting this season.
Grace Kim won only her second LPGA title with her maiden major victory. Meanwhile, Lottie Woad very nearly won as an amateur. The youngster reached the turn on Sunday in 30, and took the lead on the 13th.
Kim found the water on the first playoff hole, but still managed to make a birdie. And an eagle on the next ensured that the 24-year-old denied Thitikul that first major.
It is hard to imagine the world number one will have to wait too long.
1. The Masters
It simply had to be The Masters.
Rory McIlroy’s career was perfectly summed up over the second nine on Sunday at Augusta National. He had the tournament won when he made a par on the 12th.
Yet somehow, he went on to open the door again with one of the worst shots of his career on the very next hole.
Eventually, he needed a playoff to beat Justin Rose and finally complete the Career Grand Slam.
It was a Masters which could instantly be put alongside 1986, 1997, and 2019.
It was certainly the event of 2025.
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