Golf Champ Gary Woodland Wins After PTSD Battle

During the final rounds of the Houston Open last month, Gary Woodland fought through something far tougher than any golf course. The former US Open champion was battling intense PTSD symptoms that made him feel like people were trying to kill him.

Woodland won the tournament anyway, closing with a five-shot victory that earned him a return trip to this week's Masters. But his greatest triumph wasn't the trophy.

The 40-year-old golfer underwent brain surgery in September 2023 to remove a lesion near his amygdala, the part of the brain controlling fear and anxiety. Before the operation, he wrote goodbye letters to his wife and kids, just in case.

The surgery saved his life but left him with post-traumatic stress disorder. For months, Woodland struggled alone, rushing to bathrooms to break down in tears between holes.

Everything changed at the Houston Open when he finally asked for help. Woodland spoke to PGA Tour security about his condition, and they stayed visible throughout the weekend, giving him the reassurance he needed to feel safe.

"Turning around and knowing I'm safe, having somebody there with me? It's the only reason I won two weeks ago," Woodland said.

His ball speed hit 195 mph on one drive, proof that the strength that carried him to his 2019 US Open championship had returned. His mental strength was coming back too.

Why This Inspires

Woodland chose to go public with his PTSD diagnosis, knowing his story might help others suffering in silence. He spoke openly about how difficult it is for athletes, especially men, to admit they need help.

"Speaking about something you would call a weakness is hard," he said. "But speaking about it and how I feel afterwards made me a lot stronger."

The PGA Tour and Masters officials worked together to provide the security Woodland needs. Fans walking close behind him, cameramen rushing past, even scoreboard holders can trigger his hypervigilance, but knowing help is nearby has transformed his ability to compete.

Three weeks after his Houston victory, Woodland says he feels stronger than ever. He's turned what many would consider a setback into a platform for change, challenging the stigma around mental health in sports.

At Augusta National this week, more fans will follow him than ever before, but Woodland is ready. He's proven to himself and others that asking for help isn't weakness.