It’s easy to believe that great golf games are all about birdies and eagles.
There’s no doubt that low scores certainly matter, but there’s more to it than that.
In our ranking of the best rounds of 2025, we considered rounds played under maximum pressure, rounds that tested resolve, rounds that overcame major deficits, rounds that beat opponents and weather, and – yes – rounds that were underperforming.
But which round wins? Let’s take a look.
1. Rory McIlroy: Masters final round 73
In a sense, the Northern Irishman’s mid-round match was the highlight of a week that saw him win his first Masters title and complete a career grand slam.
That’s because a first-round 72 left him tied for 27th on the leaderboard, and his two 66s on Saturday night put him two shots ahead.
But the final round, even a 73, is a win because it’s an extraordinary roller coaster ride that requires a lot of skill and toughness.
Oh, yeah, he started with a double bogey. He also inexplicably hit a pitch into the water on the 13th hole and missed a lifter on the final green.
But as the shadow of greatness crept across his view, he stood tall, too, and hit his shot of the year: around the trees, across the water, and flying toward the 15th hole to reach the tabletop green.
2. Grace Kim: Evian Championship Round 67 Finals
Although the Australian birdied Nos. 15 and 16, she fell two shots off the lead on the par-5 final hole. Two shots later, she hit the ball and scored an eagle. If we can count the extra holes (and we can), Kim’s round isn’t over yet.
She found water on the first extension but still made birdie. Minutes later, another eagle emerged victorious.
She played the hole three times, finishing at 5 under par and making only two putts. Undoubtedly the most explosive finale of the year.
3. JJ Spaun: U.S. Open final round No. 72
Great golf can be defined by tenacity, and Americans have a lot of that. He needed it, too, as he bogeyed five of his first six holes in the final round at Oakmont and plummeted to a 5-over 40.
He was a bit lucky, with play stalled by bad weather, but he took advantage of the delay and not only returned home with a 3-under 32, but also made 17 birdies after hitting the green on the short par 4 before sinking a 64-foot birdie putt on the 18th to seal the match.
Recent challenger Robert MacIntyre watched the bold move on television and burst into applause.
4. Miyu Yamashita: AIG Women’s Open second round 65
Only 11 golfers shot 70 in the second round on a cold and windy Royal Porthcawl course. Only two of them went over 69, and one of them shot 68.
Yamashita’s ridiculous 65 gave her a three-shot lead, but she never missed a shot, which was 9.42 strokes better than the field average.
5. Sam Burns: U.S. Open second-round 65
The venue for this year’s U.S. Open is brutal Oakmont, and no one played better than Burns on Friday. Statistically, his 65 was the best score of the year in a men’s major (using adjusted scoring average).
Only seven golfers broke 70 that day, and the average score was 74.78.
Read more: Ranking all 17 first-time PGA winners in 2025 — and their chances of success in 2026
6. Justin Rose: Masters Final Round 66
The Englishman had a decent first round (65, three shots ahead) but was seven shots behind Rory McIlroy’s lead at the start of the final round, with 10 birdies to force a playoff hole. Sunday’s Augusta National wasn’t supposed to be like this.
7. Lottie Woad: Women’s Irish Open second round 67
Not only did the round give the British amateur a three-shot lead at the halfway mark, it also kicked her career into overdrive. She ended up winning the match, finishing in a playoff in the next match, turning pro, and winning the Scottish Open.
Everything is in July. It all started with one amazing lap on the track.
8. Kristoffer Reitan: Round 62 of the final round of the Soudal Open and Round 60 of the Austrian Alpine Open
Wait, two rounds? Yes: two wheels. The Norwegian shot 62 at the Soudal Open on Sunday to force a playoff win, and a week later he shot 60 to finish second at the Austrian Alps Open in Gut-Altentam.
One golfer had two great rounds in eight days.
9. Sebastian Munoz: First round 59 LIV Indianapolis
The Colombians had a hard-fought win at LIV. He then shot a sub-60 in the first round at LIV Indianapolis to take a three-shot lead in the field, and although Jon Rahm caught him with a final-round 60, Munoz held on to win.
It’s all the sweeter because scores in the 50s don’t always lead to wins.
10. Jake Knapp: 59th in the first round of Cognizant Classic
Speaking of sub-60 scores without a trophy, the American shot a 59 at the Cognizant Classic at PGA National. Under normal circumstances this would be shocking as it’s usually a tough track.
Knapp led by four holes after 18 holes, but unfortunately, he ended the week behind the winner.
11. William Mouw: ISCO Championship final round 61
Throughout 2025, there were 47 winners on the PGA Tour, no fewer than 42 of whom finished in a tie for third or better with 18 holes to play. 46 of them tied for eighth or better.
But what about Mu? He is ranked 25th. He then shot a brilliant 61 to set an unbeatable club target.
Read next: Is Rory McIlroy really the best European golfer of all time?
