19 things you might have forgot happened this year in golf

By Joel Beall

December 29, 2015

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Photo By: AP

Photo By: US PGA TOUR

An amateur was in the final group at the British Open

Paul Dunne entered the fourth round atop the leaderboard, the first time an amateur held that position since 1927. Alas, Dunne stumbled with a 78, and wasn't even the low am of the tournament.

Keegan Bradley and Miguel Angel Jimenez trade words

There are rarely public dust-ups between golfers, so when a scuffle goes down, it gets amplified. Even with these parameters, Jimenez arguing a Bradley ruling -- followed by Jimenez telling Bradley's caddie to "shut up" -- was quite unusual. The dispute allegedly carried into the locker room.

Lydia Ko becomes youngest major winner in LPGA history

At just 18 years old, Ko claimed the Evian Championship. It was golf's youngest major winner since Tom Morris, Jr. bested his father at the 1868 British Open.

Robert Allenby claims he was kidnapped

At the Sony Open, the Australian alleged he was robbed, beaten and dumped in a park while in Hawaii. Later, Allenby's ex-caddie would say the story was false.

Dustin Johnson returns from absence

After a six-month leave to face "personal challenges," Johnson was back at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Although he had some flubs on the major stages, DJ enjoyed a solid comeback campaign, winning at Doral and finishing fifth on the money list.

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Ben Crenshaw says goodbye to the Masters

Gentle Ben logged his 44th and final appearance at Augusta National. The 63-year-old won green jackets in 1984 and 1995, with the latter holding an emotional place for Crenshaw as it came shortly after the death of his teacher and mentor Harvey Penick.

Rickie Fowler named tour's most overrated player

In fairness to his fellow players who were surveyed for the poll, the response was not unfounded: Fowler had just one career win to his name since turning pro in 2009. But Fowler answered with vigor, winning three times across the globe in 2015.

Scott Stallings suspended for three months

The three-time winner self-reported his violation of the tour's anti-doping policy, becoming just the third player to be suspended for banned PED use.

Inbee Park completes career Grand Slam

The 27-year-old shot a final-round 65 at Turnberry to win the Open. There was a small debate if Park had achieved the Grand Slam; her Evian Championship conquest came before the tournament was considered a major. However, the LPGA ruled that Park's accomplishment was in the "spirit" of the benchmark, and officially recognized her feat.

Harold Varner III becomes first African-American to earn card via Web.com Tour

With five top 25s on his resume, Varner finished the Web.com Tour regular season 25th on the money list, earning a promotion to the big leagues. The East Carolina product played well in the fall schedule, highlighted by a T-5 at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba.

Tiger Woods shoots 85 at Memorial

While missed cuts at the U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship, along with a high-profile breakup with Lindsey Vonn and two back surgeries, were the notable events from Woods' rocky 2015, the 14-time major winner also turned in his highest score as a professional, shooting a third-round 85 at Muirfield Village.

Jeff Maggert wins two Champions Tour majors

Jordan Spieth wasn't the only male golfer to win two majors in 2015. Maggert grabbed the Regions Tradition at Shoal Creek, and followed up the performance with a two-stroke victory over Colin Montgomerie at the U.S. Senior Open at Del Paso.

ABC/ESPN end British Open run

The company had televised the Open for the past 53 years. NBC will take over broadcast duties in 2016.

PGA Grand Slam of Golf canceled

Following controversial statements by Donald Trump, the PGA of America announced it would not hold this year's tournament at Trump National Golf Club in Los Angeles. A replacement venue could not be found in time.

Brian Harman makes two holes-in-one in same round

Harman, who made his aces in the final round of the Barclays, became the third player in tour history to record two holes-in-one in the same round.

Rory McIlroy won four times

Not bad for a "lost" season.

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Sang-Moon Bae leaves PGA Tour for military service

Bae's request for exemption was denied by South Korea, meaning the 29-year-old has to put golf on hold to serve a mandatory two-year commitment to his country's armed forces. Bae turned in a career-best showing in 2015 with six top-10 finishes and nearly $2.6 million in earnings.

Davis Love III wins at age 51

DL3 became the third oldest winner, behind Sam Snead and Art Wall, Jr, in tour history with a stunning victory at the Wyndham Championship. Love also joined Snead, along with Ray Floyd, as the only players to win in four different decades.

Photo By: AP

Anchored putters off the tour

The ban officially begins on January 1, 2016, meaning we've seen the last of the device's professional use.

Photo By: US PGA TOUR

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19 things you might have forgot happened this year in golf

Shop This Look

An amateur was in the final group at the British Open

Keegan Bradley and Miguel Angel Jimenez trade words

Lydia Ko becomes youngest major winner in LPGA history

Robert Allenby claims he was kidnapped

Dustin Johnson returns from absence

Ben Crenshaw says goodbye to the Masters

Rickie Fowler named tour's most overrated player

Scott Stallings suspended for three months

Inbee Park completes career Grand Slam

Harold Varner III becomes first African-American to earn card via Web.com Tour

Tiger Woods shoots 85 at Memorial

Jeff Maggert wins two Champions Tour majors

ABC/ESPN end British Open run

PGA Grand Slam of Golf canceled

Brian Harman makes two holes-in-one in same round

Rory McIlroy won four times

Sang-Moon Bae leaves PGA Tour for military service

Davis Love III wins at age 51

Anchored putters off the tour