Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Professional golfer Gary Woodland won his first PGA Tour title at the Texas Children's Houston Open on Sunday, March 29, 2026 after undergoing serious brain surgery.
Woodland finished the tournament with an impressive score of 21-under 259, beating his closest competitor, Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark, by five strokes.
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This victory marked Woodland's return to the championship circle after a seven-year wait and capped a long battle with health issues.
This victory at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston automatically secured Woodland's place in the upcoming Masters and PGA Championship.
It was his fifth career PGA Tour title and his first since winning the U.S. Open in 2019.
Lihat postingan ini di InstagramSebuah kiriman dibagikan oleh Gary Woodland (@gary.woodland)
Emotional Victory at the 2026 Houston Open
Gary Woodland's victory at the 2026 Texas Children's Houston Open on March 29, 2026, at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, was the culmination of a long and emotional journey.
He started the final round with a one-shot lead and expanded the lead to seven shots before ultimately winning by five strokes over Nicolai Hojgaard.
Woodland carded a 3-under 67 in the final round, cementing his position as champion and ended a seven-year wait since his last victory at the 2019 U.S. Open.
Gary Woodland's Brain Surgery and Early Recovery
Gary Woodland's journey to victory began with a shocking diagnosis in April 2023.
He began experiencing symptoms such as unfounded fear, hand tremors, chills, and low energy, leading him to fear death.
After undergoing an MRI, doctors discovered a lesion in the part of his brain that controls fear and anxiety, which appeared to be a tumor.
On September 18, 2023, Woodland underwent brain surgery to remove the lesion.
Woodland made a remarkable recovery, being released from the hospital two days after surgery and even practicing his putting at home two days later.
He returned to competition on the PGA Tour in January 2024 at the Sony Open.
Struggles with PTSD and Self-Disclosure
Despite returning to the golf course, Woodland's struggles did not end there.
He was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 2025, which added to the burden of his recovery.
In early March 2026, a few weeks before the Houston Open, Woodland publicly revealed his struggle with PTSD.
This disclosure, he said, made him feel "1,000 pounds lighter," a significant step in his healing process.
During his recovery, Woodland experienced difficult moments that he described as "low points," including a tearful phone call to his wife after the third round of the 2024 3M Open.