Gary Woodland won the Houston Open on Sunday, marking an emotional moment after his brain surgery 30 months ago.
He had also recently opened up about his experience with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Woodland’s Dominant Performance
Woodland took a one-shot lead into the final round and extended it to seven shots. He closed with a 3-under 67 to win by five shots over Nicolai Hojgaard.
The gallery chanted his name as Woodland made a 5-foot par putt. Woodland stretched both arms, exhaled, and looked to the sky before becoming emotional.
“We play an individual sport out here, but I wasn’t alone today,” Woodland said.
He added, “Anyone struggling with something, I hope they see me and don’t give up. Just keep fighting.”
Overcoming Health Challenges
Woodland began to struggle in 2023 and learned he had a lesion on his brain that caused fears. In September 2023, he had surgery to remove much of the lesion.
He returned in January 2024, and was runner-up at the Houston Open last year. He revealed that he was struggling with PTSD, and shared his struggles in an interview two weeks ago.
“I appreciate that love and support. But inside, I feel like I’m dying, and I feel like I’m living a lie,” he said in the interview. “I want to live my dreams and be successful out here. But I want to help people, too. I realize now I’ve got to help myself first.”
Woodland said that going public made him feel “1,000 pounds lighter.”
Road to Victory
Woodland reached 196 mph ball speed on one tee shot on Sunday. He finished at 21-under 259 for his first victory since the U.S. Open, and the fifth of his career.
- The stretch of six years and 286 days was the fourth-longest span in the past 40 years from a major victory to a player’s next PGA Tour win.
- The win makes him eligible for the Masters in two weeks.
Respect from Fellow Competitors
Hojgaard fell back with a double bogey on the par-3 seventh hole and closed with a 71. He secured his position inside the top 50 in the world to ensure his invitation to the Masters.
Hojgaard and defending champion Min Woo Lee chose to stay back on their way to the 18th green to give Woodland his moment.
“We thought it was appropriate to let him have his moment,” Hojgaard said.
Woodland’s victory marks his first since the U.S. Open.