Gary Woodland is a winner again just 30 months after brain surgery. Woodland produced a moment as big as his U.S. Open title at Pebble Beach when he won the Houston Open. He led by as many as seven shots and shot 67 to win by four. Woodland had surgery in September 2023 to remove a lesion on a part of the brain that caused unfounded fears of dying.
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Here's how to stay safeOne Tech Tip: Here's how AI can help you in your job huntThe future of fish is looking a lot like meatPope Leo XIV rejects claims that God justifies war in Palm Sunday Mass messageTras un mes de guerra con Irán, Trump no cumple algunos de sus objetivos y busca ponerle finGary Woodland places his ball on the ninth green during the final round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open golf tournament Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Houston. Gary Woodland chips onto the eighth green during the final round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open golf tournament Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Houston. Gary Woodland pumps his fist after sinking a birdie putt on the ninth hole during the final round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open golf tournament Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Houston. Gary Woodland tees off on the first hole during the final round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open golf tournament Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Houston. Gary Woodland places his ball on the ninth green during the final round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open golf tournament Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Houston. Gary Woodland places his ball on the ninth green during the final round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open golf tournament Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Houston. Gary Woodland chips onto the eighth green during the final round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open golf tournament Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Houston. Gary Woodland chips onto the eighth green during the final round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open golf tournament Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Houston. Gary Woodland pumps his fist after sinking a birdie putt on the ninth hole during the final round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open golf tournament Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Houston. Gary Woodland pumps his fist after sinking a birdie putt on the ninth hole during the final round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open golf tournament Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Houston. Gary Woodland tees off on the first hole during the final round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open golf tournament Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Houston. Gary Woodland tees off on the first hole during the final round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open golf tournament Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Houston. HOUSTON — Gary Woodland won the Houston Open on Sunday, an emotional moment that seemed so improbable 30 months agoWoodland looked better than ever at Memorial Park, taking a one-shot lead into the final round and stretching it to seven shots until coasting home to a trophy that felt as big asHe closed with a 3-under 67 to win by five shots over Nicolai Hojgaard. The gallery paused chanting his name so Woodland could roll in a 5-foot par putt. He stretched both arms, exhaled and looked to the blue sky before his tears began pouring. “We play an individual sport out here, but I wasn’t alone today,” Woodland said, his voice quivering with emotion. “Anyone struggling with something, I hope they see me and don’t give up. Just keep fighting.” Woodland has been a popular figure and powerful player since he left a two-sport college career and joined the PGA Tour. But he began to struggle in 2023, only to learn he had a lesion on the part of his brain that caused unfounded fears that he was dying.Surgery in September 2023, which involved a baseball-sized hole cut from the side of his head, removed much of the lesion. His return in January 2024 looked fine on the outside, particularly last year when he was runner-up at the Houston Open. But he was hurting badly with PTSD, once rushing to a portable bathroom to break down in tears when he was overcome with emotion. He chose 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.”His physical strength sure didn’t leave him. Woodland reach 196 mph ball speed on one tee shot Sunday, and more striking was the smooth control he showed over every shot. He finished at 21-under 259 for his first victory since the U.S. Open, and the fifth of his career. This one came with a big bonus — it makes him eligible for the Masters in two weeks. Hojgaard fell back with a double bogey on the par-5 seventh hole. He closed with a 71 and a consolation prize. He secured his position inside the top 50 in the world to secure 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 the stage to himself, a gesture rarely seen outside the majors. It spoke to Woodland’s popularity in golf. “We thought it was appropriate to let him have his moment,” Hojgaard said. “It was a pretty cool moment for Gary and it was cool to see. I’m really happy for him.” Woodland felt huge relief by sharing his PTSD struggles, and he had some technical help with his golf. He went to a new putter to help his alignment, and he consulted coach Randy Smith before going to stiffer shafts in his irons because his speed had returned and that helped him have better control of his shots. There was no chance controlling his emotions, certainly over the last hour when the outcome was obvious and the 18th hole when it became reality.“It’s just another day. Today was a good day,” Woodland said with a smile and a short laugh. “But I’ve got a big fight ahead of me, and I’m going to keep going. But I’m proud of myself right now.” His wife, Gabby, was with him all 18 holes with their three children at home. Woodland has said his wife was key to get him through surgery and what followed. “This has been hard on me. It’s been a lot harder on her,” he said. The victory moves him just outside the top 50 in the world and makes him eligible for all the elite events the rest of the PGA Tour schedule.Michael Thorbjornsen was in position to move into the top 50 and get into the Masters until he made three bogeys in a four-hole stretch on the back nine and stumbled to a 72 to finish well outside the top 10. ... Shane Lowry made a hole-in-one on the second hole, his fourth on the PGA Tour. The others came on No. 7 at Pebble Beach, No. 17 at the TPC Sawgrass and No. 12 at Augusta National. Adam Scott also made an ace on the 11th hole. ... PGA Tour rookie Johnny Keefer shot 64 and tied for third.125
Golf Nicolai Hojgaard Surgery KS State Wire GA State Wire Florida Texas Kansas TX State Wire FL State Wire Georgia Min Woo Lee Johnny Keefer Michael Thorbjornsen Sports Shane Lowry Adam Scott Masters Golf Tournament Randy Smith
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