Woodland Opens Up About PTSD Struggles Ahead of Masters

Former U.S. Open champion details mental health challenges that nearly derailed his recent Houston Open victory.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:21pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a golfer's swing and movements broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of muted earth tones and blues with flashes of green and white, conveying the mental and physical struggles of a professional athlete dealing with PTSD.A cubist interpretation of the mental and physical challenges faced by pro golfer Gary Woodland as he battles PTSD on the course.Augusta Today

Golfer Gary Woodland revealed his ongoing battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which has caused him to feel hypervigilant and think 'people were trying to kill me' even while playing at the prestigious Masters tournament. Woodland underwent brain surgery in 2023 to remove a lesion, and has since struggled with PTSD symptoms that have crippled him at times, including rushing to bathrooms to break down in tears. However, the 2019 U.S. Open champion credits the PGA Tour's security team for helping him overcome these challenges and secure a recent victory at the Houston Open.

Why it matters

Woodland's openness about his mental health struggles is an important step in destigmatizing discussions around PTSD and other conditions, especially in the high-pressure world of professional sports. His story highlights the need for greater support and resources for athletes dealing with trauma and anxiety, and could inspire others to seek help for their own mental health challenges.

The details

In September 2023, Woodland underwent brain surgery to remove a lesion that had been causing him unfounded fears of dying. The procedure involved cutting a baseball-sized hole in the side of his head, but it proved successful. Woodland returned to the PGA Tour in January 2024 and slowly worked his way back into form. At the Houston Open last month, Woodland battled feelings of hypervigilance, thinking 'people were trying to kill me' during the round. He credits the PGA Tour's security team for helping him overcome these challenges and go on to win the tournament by five shots.

  • In September 2023, Woodland had brain surgery to remove a lesion.
  • Woodland returned to the PGA Tour in January 2024 after his surgery.
  • At the Houston Open last month, Woodland battled PTSD symptoms during the round.

The players

Gary Woodland

A professional golfer who won the 2019 U.S. Open championship. He has been open about his ongoing struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the mental health challenges he has faced, including feeling hypervigilant and thinking 'people were trying to kill me' while playing.

PGA Tour

The organization that runs the main professional golf tour in the United States and North America. Woodland credits the PGA Tour's security team for helping him overcome his PTSD symptoms and secure a recent victory at the Houston Open.

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What they’re saying

“I battled the last 10 holes, thinking people were trying to kill me.”

— Gary Woodland, Professional Golfer

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

— Gary Woodland, Professional Golfer

“We live in a world, as men and especially as an athlete, that you put your head down and you fight through it. I've done it my whole life. This is honestly one battle that I'm not able to do on my own. I tried, and it wasn't working.”

— Gary Woodland, Professional Golfer

What’s next

Woodland will continue to work closely with the PGA Tour's security team to manage his PTSD symptoms during this week's Masters tournament at Augusta National, one of the most high-profile events in golf.

The takeaway

Woodland's openness about his mental health struggles is an important step in destigmatizing discussions around PTSD and other conditions in professional sports. His story highlights the need for greater support and resources for athletes dealing with trauma and anxiety, and could inspire others to seek help for their own mental health challenges.