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Houston Today
By the People, for the People
Jack Nicklaus Congratulates Gary Woodland on Houston Open Win
The golf legend praised Woodland's resilience and mental toughness after his recent brain surgery.
Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:05am
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Woodland's emotional Houston Open win inspires the golf world with his resilience and determination.Houston TodayGary Woodland's recent victory at the Houston Open was widely celebrated, with even his fellow competitors rooting for him. The 2019 U.S. Open champion has been open about his struggles with PTSD and recovering from brain surgery in 2023. Golf legend Jack Nicklaus was among those who congratulated Woodland, praising his resilience and mental toughness in a heartfelt Instagram post.
Why it matters
Woodland's win is seen as an inspiring comeback story, as he has openly discussed his mental health challenges and physical recovery from brain surgery. Nicklaus' public support for Woodland highlights the golf community's appreciation for his perseverance and ability to perform at a high level despite his recent hardships.
The details
Woodland recently opened up about his PTSD and brain surgery, which occurred just two weeks before his Houston Open victory. He said he was playing the best golf of his life, and received messages of congratulations from across the sports world, including from Tommy Fleetwood and Patrick Mahomes. Nicklaus, the all-time leader in major championship wins, took to Instagram to express his support for Woodland, saying the 'whole world was rooting' for him and praising his 'resilience and mental toughness' in overcoming his recent challenges.
- Woodland underwent brain surgery in 2023.
- Woodland won the Houston Open in March 2026, just two weeks after discussing his PTSD and brain surgery.
The players
Gary Woodland
A 5-time PGA Tour winner who recently opened up about his struggles with PTSD and recovery from brain surgery in 2023.
Jack Nicklaus
An 86-year-old golf legend and the all-time leader in major championship wins.
What they’re saying
“I think the whole world was rooting this weekend for @gary.woodland, starting with my family and me. There was not a single person I talked to over the last few days that was not in Gary's corner, cheering him on.”
— Jack Nicklaus
“For all that Gary has been through the last few years — from the brain surgery to opening his heart and soul to the world about his recent challenges — and then to show such resilience and mental toughness, while playing great golf, made for an incredible win and moment.”
— Jack Nicklaus
What’s next
Woodland has decided to take a well-earned rest ahead of The Masters, as he withdrew from the Valero Texas Open this week. He's in peak form, and at 42-years-old, rest is the most important thing for him heading into the first major of the season.
The takeaway
Woodland's inspiring comeback story and Nicklaus' public support highlight the golf community's appreciation for athletes who are able to persevere and perform at a high level despite facing significant personal challenges. This victory could be a springboard for Woodland to contend for his first green jacket at The Masters.
