Ah, 2023. The year everything changed … again. For the second straight year, we left 2023 with a drastically different perspective of professional golf than we entered. Now, as we look back at the year that was — with LIV major championships, Ryder Cup controversies and oh so many other stories — we’re remembering the 15 biggest moments that defined the year in golf. Let’s get digging.
The 15 Biggest Golf Moments of 2023
No. 15: Viktor Hovland’s 2023 was a lifetime in the making
Viktor Hovland had been waiting his whole life for a year like 2023, even if the biggest fish remained uncaught. [READ MORE HERE]
No. 14: Rickie Fowler, Jason Day return to winner’s circle
For Jason Day and Rickie Fowler, 2023 was a year of resurgence. Here’s a recap of their triumphant returns to the winner’s circle. [READ MORE HERE]
No. 13: Brian Harman’s dominating Open Championship rout
With a chip on his shoulder and a deadly short game, Brian Harman nabbed his first major title when he won the 2023 Open Championship. [READ MORE HERE]
No. 12: The Michael Block Party takes over the PGA Championship
Michael Block came out of nowhere to become the 2023 PGA Championship darling. But that wasn’t the end of his story. [READ MORE HERE]
No. 11: 2023 was the year Wyndham Clark broke out
Wyndham Clark picked up his first two PGA Tour wins of his career in 2023, which included a U.S. Open title at Los Angeles Country Club. [READ MORE HERE]
No. 10: Lilia Vu nearly quit golf. Now she’s the best player in the world
In the midst of the pandemic, Lilia Vu was on the verge of quitting golf. Now, she’s a two-time major winner and ranked No. 1 in the world. [READ MORE HERE]
Patrick Cantlay speaks: On PGA Tour control, LIV offers, Ryder Cup controversy
No. 9: How LIV Golf’s OWGR rejection accelerated war with establishment
The OWGR’s LIV decision had significant consequences for the global landscape of professional golf. Here’s what it all means. [READ MORE HERE]
No. 8: How PGA Tour players took control of their tour
When we look back on the year in golf, it will be defined as the year PGA Tour players exercised their power. [READ MORE HERE]
No. 7: Carlota Ciganda fuels Solheim Cup comeback
Carlota Ciganda, behind a memorable finish, led the European comeback at the Solheim Cup, and it made for one of 2023’s biggest stories. [READ MORE HERE]
No. 6: Tiger Woods’ 2023 return felt different for two reasons
When Tiger Woods disappeared post-Masters, uncertainty followed. But when he returned, two things made this comeback seem different. [READ MORE HERE]
No. 5: Brooks Koepka’s major championship triumph
Brooks Koepka’s LIV Golf major triumph altered the chemistry of pro golf — and maybe even accelerated what came next. [READ MORE HERE]
No. 4: The Ryder Cup gets testy
At the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, tensions ran high between Team Europe and Team USA, resulting in plenty of drama both on and off the course. [READ MORE HERE]
No. 3: Jon Rahm joins LIV Golf
Jon Rahm’s shocking departure for LIV Golf was one of the stories of the year. Why’d he make the controversial jump? [READ MORE HERE]
No 2: The golf-ball rollback has arrived
The big golf-ball rollback announcement of 2023 wasn’t exactly what the governing bodies had in mind. Just ask the governing bodies. [READ MORE HERE]
No. 1: PGA Tour agrees to forge a future with Saudi Arabia
The biggest story of the golf year came on June 6, when Jay Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan appeared on TV together. Here’s what it was like. [READ MORE HERE]