What Happened to Gary Woodland?
Gary Woodland is an American professional golfer who achieved a major championship victory at the 2019 U.S. Open. His career faced a significant challenge in 2023 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, leading to successful surgery and a subsequent battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Woodland made an inspiring comeback, culminating in his fifth PGA Tour victory at the 2026 Texas Children's Houston Open and continued competition on the tour as of April 2026.
Quick Answer
Gary Woodland has made a remarkable return to professional golf after undergoing brain surgery in September 2023 to remove a lesion. Following his recovery, he revealed a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in March 2026, stemming from his health ordeal. Despite these challenges, Woodland achieved an emotional victory at the 2026 Texas Children's Houston Open, his first PGA Tour win since 2019, and has continued to compete on the PGA Tour, including the 2026 Masters and RBC Heritage.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born in Topeka, Kansas
Gary Woodland was born in Topeka, Kansas.
Turns Professional
After a successful collegiate golf career at the University of Kansas, Woodland turned professional.
First PGA Tour Victory
Woodland secured his first PGA Tour win at the Transitions Championship.
Wins U.S. Open
Gary Woodland captures his first major championship title at the U.S. Open held at Pebble Beach Golf Links, holding off Brooks Koepka.
Announces Brain Tumor Diagnosis
Woodland publicly announces he has been diagnosed with a brain tumor after experiencing symptoms since April 2023.
Undergoes Brain Surgery
Woodland undergoes successful surgery to remove a lesion from his brain. The surgery did not fully remove the tumor, and it was located near the amygdala, which controls fear and anxiety.
Returns to PGA Tour
Woodland makes his competitive return to the PGA Tour at the Sony Open in Hawaii, just four months after his brain surgery.
First Top-10 Post-Surgery
Woodland records his first top-10 finish since surgery, tying for 9th at the Shriners Children's Open.
Receives PGA Tour Courage Award
Woodland is awarded the PGA Tour Courage Award in recognition of his recovery and return to golf after brain surgery.
Runner-up at Houston Open
Woodland finishes tied for second at the Houston Open, his best result since returning to the tour.
Reveals PTSD Diagnosis
In an emotional interview, Woodland publicly shares that he has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following his brain surgery.
Wins Texas Children's Houston Open
Woodland secures his fifth PGA Tour title and first since 2019, winning the Houston Open by five strokes with a tournament-record score. This emotional victory marks a significant comeback.
Competes in Masters Tournament
Following his Houston Open win, Woodland participates in the Masters Tournament, finishing tied for 33rd.
In Contention at RBC Heritage
As of today, Gary Woodland is tied for sixth place at 12-under-par entering the final round of the RBC Heritage, continuing his strong performance on the PGA Tour.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Gary Woodland, born May 21, 1984, established himself as a prominent figure in professional golf, with his career highlight being the 2019 U.S. Open victory at Pebble Beach. However, his journey took an unexpected turn in 2023 when he began experiencing concerning symptoms, including loss of appetite, regular feelings of fear, and partial seizures, which led to an MRI in May that revealed a brain tumor.
Woodland initially tried anti-seizure medication, but due to side effects like memory loss, he opted for surgery. On September 18, 2023, he underwent successful brain surgery to remove a lesion located near his amygdala, the part of the brain controlling emotions like fear and anxiety. The surgery, which involved cutting a baseball-sized hole in his head, did not fully remove the tumor, leaving a residual portion. Woodland's determination was evident as he walked out of the hospital just two days later, defying the need for a wheelchair.
He made his return to the PGA Tour just four months later at the 2024 Sony Open in Hawaii, a testament to his resilience. While his physical recovery progressed, Woodland continued to face an internal battle. In February 2025, he was recognized with the PGA Tour Courage Award for his inspiring recovery. However, the mental toll of his ordeal became apparent when, in March 2026, he publicly disclosed his diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), describing episodes of anxiety and hypervigilance.
Despite these ongoing struggles, Woodland's golf game showed signs of resurgence. He finished runner-up at the Houston Open in March 2025, marking his first top-5 finish since his surgery. The pinnacle of his comeback arrived on March 29, 2026, when he won the Texas Children's Houston Open, his first professional victory since the 2019 U.S. Open. This emotional win, by five strokes with a tournament-record score of 21-under 259, earned him exemptions into major tournaments, including the 2026 Masters.
As of April 19, 2026, Woodland continues to compete on the PGA Tour, having participated in the 2026 Masters Tournament, where he finished T33, and is currently in contention at the RBC Heritage. His journey has become a powerful narrative of perseverance, demonstrating his fight against both physical and mental adversity while continuing to pursue his passion for golf.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Gary Woodland made different choices?