Gary Woodland Surges to 3-Shot Lead at Houston Open After PTSD Reveal

Woodland's strong play comes shortly after he opened up about his mental health struggles.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 5:30am

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Gary Woodland, the 2019 U.S. Open champion, has surged to a 3-shot lead at the Houston Open after revealing his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) earlier this week. Woodland shot a 7-under 63 in the second round to reach 13-under 127, three ahead of Nicolai Hjogaard and Jackson Suber. Woodland said he felt a weight lifted after speaking publicly about his mental health, and he was able to bounce back from a bad swing on the 13th hole to finish strong with three straight birdies.

Why it matters

Woodland's openness about his PTSD diagnosis and recovery from brain surgery highlights the growing awareness and importance of addressing mental health issues in professional sports. His strong play at the Houston Open could earn him a spot in the upcoming Masters tournament, adding to the significance of his comeback story.

The details

Woodland hit only 5 fairways on Friday but was able to capitalize on the ample room at Memorial Park, rarely finding himself out of position. He finished his round with a wedge to 3 feet on the par-5 16th, a 15-foot birdie on the 17th, and a 12-foot birdie on the 18th. Woodland was particularly proud of how he responded after a poor tee shot on the 13th hole that led to a bogey, saying he was able to 'forget about it and move on.'

  • Woodland revealed his PTSD diagnosis earlier this week in a Golf Channel interview.
  • Woodland underwent brain surgery in September 2023 to remove a lesion that was causing moments of unfounded fear.
  • The Houston Open is being played March 26-29, 2026.

The players

Gary Woodland

The 2019 U.S. Open champion who is currently leading the Houston Open after opening up about his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Nicolai Hjogaard

A golfer who shot a 62 in the second round and is three shots behind Woodland, with his sights set on earning a spot in the upcoming Masters tournament.

Jackson Suber

A golfer who shot a 63 in the second round and is also three shots behind Woodland.

Brooks Koepka

A professional golfer who missed the cut at the Houston Open after struggling with a 75 in the first round and a triple bogey in the second round.

Randy Smith

Woodland's golf coach, who refers to poor swings as 'oops' moments.

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What they’re saying

“I was proud of myself because what Randy Smith, my coach, calls an 'oops.' I had a bad swing there on 13, and I've hit it so well the last couple days, I didn't let that bother me. I told myself to forget about it and move on, and I was able to do that. That was a big change for me to let that go and keep doing what I've been doing the last couple days.”

— Gary Woodland, Professional Golfer

“It's so easy to say it's not on my mind, good golf will take care of it. It's on my mind 100 percent. We all want to be there. But when I'm playing golf out there, I didn't think about it today. I feel like my game is good enough to qualify for it, but there's two more days here in Houston and I like where my game is at.”

— Nicolai Hjogaard, Professional Golfer

What’s next

Woodland will look to maintain his 3-shot lead over the weekend and secure a victory that would earn him a spot in the upcoming Masters tournament. Hjogaard and Suber will aim to catch Woodland and also qualify for the Masters.

The takeaway

Woodland's openness about his mental health struggles and his ability to overcome them with strong play has resonated with fans and fellow golfers alike. His story highlights the importance of addressing mental health in sports and the potential for athletes to inspire others by sharing their experiences.