If you are an Irish golfer, 2025 is going to be one of those years you talk about in the clubhouse for decades. It was the year the nearly moments finally turned into history-making victories. From the manicured lawns of Augusta National to the raucous atmosphere of Bethpage Black, and back home to the windswept dunes of the north, Ireland was absolutely everywhere in world golf.
It was a year where the superstars delivered, the next generation broke through, and our disabled golfers cemented their place as world leaders. Let us take a spin through the magic year that was 2025.
The Year of Destiny: Rory Completes the Slam
If there is a headline for 2025, it is simple: Rory McIlroy finally won The Masters.
After more than a decade of heartbreak and near misses, Rory exorcised the demons at Augusta. He did not just win; he did it the hard way, beating Justin Rose in a playoff to claim his first Green Jacket. In doing so, he became just the sixth player in history to complete the career Grand Slam.
It was not just the Green Jacket that returned to Hollywood this year. Rory’s 2025 campaign was a masterclass in consistency and dominance across the globe. A few weeks after his season opening win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, he arrived at TPC Sawgrass and reminded the world why he is the best ball striker of his generation. In a dramatic Monday finish, he captured The Players Championship for the second time, defeating J.J. Spaun in a playoff to become the first European in history to win the event twice.
He capped off this historic year by securing his seventh Race to Dubai title on the DP World Tour. By headlining the closing stretch of the season, which included that cinematic home victory at the Amgen Irish Open at The K Club, where he holed a 28-foot eagle putt on the 18th to force a playoff, Rory proved he is the undisputed king of the European tour.
The Ryder Cup: The Boys in Blue (and Green)
If the majors brought personal glory, September brought national pride. At a hostile Bethpage Black, Team Europe pulled off their first away Ryder Cup victory since Medinah, edging the U.S. 15–13.
The Irish influence was massive. Rory anchored the team with 3.5 points from 5 matches. But it was Shane Lowry, making his third appearance, who provided the standout moment. Despite a mixed year individually, Shane turned up when it mattered, halving his singles match with Russell Henley on the 18th green to officially retain the Ryder Cup before Tyrrell Hatton sealed the outright win.
Shane Lowry: The Heart on Sleeve Rollercoaster
Shanes season was the definition of a rollercoaster. The highs remember dizzying: he finished runner up to Rory at Pebble Beach (making for a very Irish leaderboard) and had a strong finish on the DP World Tour.
The lows, however, were bruising. He was in contention at The Masters before a frustrating Saturday finish saw him slide to T42. He missed the cut at the USPGA Championship by two shots and suffered a bizarre two shot penalty at the U.S. Open for a tiny ball movement during a practice swing. Even at Portrush, battling a stomach bug, he ground it out to make the cut for the home fans. Not always pretty, but always full of heart.
The Breakout Star: Tom McKibbin
While the veterans battled, 22-year-old Tom McKibbin announced himself to the world.
McKibbin joined Jon Rahms Legion XIII on LIV Golf, helping them win the Team Championship and banking over $5.7m. But his crowning moment came late in the year in Asia.
He absolutely dismantled the field at the Link Hong Kong Open, shooting 27 under par for a seven shot victory. That week included a course record 60 on day one. Crucially, that win booked his ticket to the 2026 Masters and Open Championship, ensuring the next generation is ready for the big stage.
World Class: Brendan Lawlor and Disabled Golf
Irish success was not limited to the main professional tours. In the world of G4D (Golf for the Disabled), Louths Brendan Lawlor continued to be a global trailblazer.
Lawlor won the G4D Open at Woburn for the second time, adding the 2025 title to his 2023 victory. His dominance cements his status as one of the very best disabled golfers on the planet. With G4D events now enjoying increased visibility alongside DP World Tour stops, Lawlor’s role in driving inclusive golf cannot be overstated.
Irish Women: Leona, The Close, and a New Star at the Irish Open
On the LPGA Tour, Leona Maguire continued to be Ireland’s standard bearer. While it was not a year of headline grabbing wins, Leona kept grinding out starts and making cuts against the best in the world, representing Ireland in all the key majors.
Back home, the KPMG Women’s Irish Open provided one of the most exciting storylines of the summer. While the pros battled it out, it was the amateur sensation Lottie Woad who stole the show. Her fearlessness and ball striking were the talk of the tournament, as she emerged as a serious contender against a seasoned field. Watching her navigate the pressure, many fans left Carton House convinced they had just seen the future world number one in action.
The domestic amateur scene was equally vibrant. Anna Dawson captured the AIG Irish Womens Close Championship at Ardee, while Eava Bracks of Malone won the Irish Girls Amateur Close Championship, beating Alexandra Kearney in the final.
The Amateur Scene: Domestic Glory & Junior Champions
The elite amateur scene for men was lively in 2025. Stuart Grehan claimed the Flogas Irish Amateur Open Championship at Seapoint, adding another major domestic title to his CV.
The junior ranks delivered in style, too. John Doyle of Fota Island won the Irish Boys Amateur Championship at Cork Golf Club. Even younger still, Charlie O’Hora took the U14 Flogas Irish Junior Open Ping Major Nett title at Lough Erne, showing there is serious depth right down into the age grade ranks.
A Home Open to Remember
Finally, we cannot talk about 2025 without mentioning the return of The Open Championship to Royal Portrush.
While American Scottie Scheffler eventually lifted the Claret Jug, the event itself was a triumph. It was the biggest Open ever held outside of St Andrews, with 278,000 spectators packing the dunes. Rory’s Masters win earlier in the year fuelled a ticket frenzy that proved, once again, that Ireland is the heartbeat of world golf.
Was 2025 the best year ever for Irish golf? With a Green Jacket, a second Players title, a Race to Dubai crown, an away Ryder Cup, a home Open, and winners across every level of the game, it is hard to argue otherwise.
