Just 2 1/2 years after undergoing brain surgery, 41-year-old PGA Tour member Gary Woodland is at the top of the golf world once again.
Woodland, who competed at the University of Kansas from 2003 through 2007, on Sunday fired a 3-under-par 67 to secure a 5-shot victory over runner-up Nicolai Hojgaard at the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
Woodland — he shot rounds of 64, 63, 65 and 67 for a tourney-record score of 21-under-par 259 — claimed his first victory since the 2019 U.S. Open and his fifth overall victory on the tour. His victories include the 2011 Transitions Championship, 2013 Reno-Tahoe Open, 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open and 2019 U.S. Open.
Topeka native Woodland entered the final round of the Houston Open with a 1-shot lead over Hojgaard. Johnny Keefer and Min Woo Lee tied for third at 15-under.
“We play an individual sport out here, (but) I wasn’t alone today,” Woodland said in his NBC-TV interview following his final putt. “I’ve got a lot of people behind me — my team, family, this golf world. Anybody that is struggling with something, I hope they see me and don’t give up. Just keep fighting.”
In an interview with the Golf Channel 20 days ago, he revealed his ongoing battle against PTSD which has surfaced following the surgery.
“It’s just another day. I’ve got to keep healing. Today was a good day. I’ve got a big fight ahead of me. I’ve got to keep going. I’m proud of myself right now,” he added, fighting back tears.
As Woodland approached the green on the 18th hole, he received thunderous applause and tipped his cap to the gallery. Several PGA Tour golfers, including those near the top of the leaderboard, cheered for Woodland at that moment as well.
From just off the green he chipped within 3 feet. He looked to the heavens after tapping in for par and wrapping up the win over Hejgaard, who actually bogeyed 18.
Woodland then hugged his wife, Gabby, and his longtime swing coach, Randy Smith.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere without them,” he said of family and friends. “There’s no chance I could do this without them. There’s no chance I could do this without Gabby for sure. It’s been hard on me, harder for her. I love her to death.”
Woodland has qualified for the first major of the year, the Masters.
“Randy has me in a spot right now, my game, it’s better than it has ever been,” Woodland said. In fact, he’s driving 12 yards longer than a year ago.
“He’s more than a golf coach to me. Randy has been with me through all this,” Woodland added.
NBC announcer Dan Hicks pointed out he noticed Woodland working on his breathing exercises as he walked down the 17th hole fairway.
“Everybody respected him even before what he went through,” Hicks said on the broadcast. “The rallying around him has been amazing. This is one of the most emotional days we’ve seen in golf in a long, long time.”
Gary Woodland poses with the trophy on the 18th green after winning the Texas Children’s Houston Open 2026 at Memorial Park Golf Course on March 29, 2026 in Houston. Jordan Bank Getty Images
Woodland had surgery to remove a significant portion of a benign tumor on his brain on Sept. 18, 2023. Woodland returned to the PGA Tour at the start of 2024. He recently said in an emotional interview with The Golf Channel that PTSD has had him breaking down and crying in the middle of rounds in which he tried desperately to hide his tears from fans and fellow competitors. The lesion that was removed from his brain is from the part of the brain that causes moments of unfounded fear.
He said it’s been a big relief to come public with his ongoing battles so people know his current challenges.
He told the Golf Channel he feels “1,000 pounds lighter,” after revealing his PTSD.
“There’s no doubt, and I feed off that,” Woodland said. “This as much as any week, I feel like I’ve had a lot of support. Kind of feel like I’m playing at home. The fans have been amazing. I kind of need that energy to help me through the day, that definitely helps. That’s something hopefully I can ride on this weekend as well.”
This Houston Open marked the first time Woodland held the 54-hole lead since he won the 2019 U.S. Open title at Pebble Beach.
According to the Associated Press, Woodland “has been helped by a change in shafts in his irons, noticing he was losing a little control as his speed began to return. His golf has looked as good as ever, with full control of his swing and full use of his athletic power.”
“I’ve just got to take a deep breath,” Woodland said after Saturday’s round. “I’ll have a good night ahead of me tonight to recover and rest, and tomorrow just don’t get ahead of yourself. I’m here, I put myself in this position for a reason, so take a deep breath and maintain what I’m doing.”
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Gary Bedore covers KU basketball for The Kansas City Star. He has written about the Jayhawks since 1978 — during the Ted Owens, Larry Brown, Roy Williams and Bill Self eras. He has won the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year award and KPA writing awards.