Gary Woodland Credits Wife After Emotional PGA Tour Win

The golfer opened up about his journey through brain surgery and PTSD diagnosis after his first victory since 2019.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:37pm

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A vibrant, expressionist painting depicting the raw emotion of Gary Woodland as he sinks the final putt of his Houston Open victory, his arms outstretched and face filled with tears of joy.An emotional Gary Woodland celebrates his hard-fought victory at the Houston Open, a triumph that marks a new chapter in his journey back from brain surgery and a PTSD diagnosis.Houston Today

Gary Woodland won the Texas Children's Houston Open on Sunday, March 29, marking his first PGA Tour victory since the 2019 U.S. Open. Woodland, who underwent brain surgery and was diagnosed with PTSD in 2023, credited his wife Gabby and support team for helping him through the darkest moments of his recovery. After the win, an emotional Woodland hugged his caddie and wife on the 18th green, acknowledging the long road to this victory.

Why it matters

Woodland's win is a testament to his perseverance and resilience in the face of significant health challenges. His openness about his PTSD diagnosis and recovery process has helped raise awareness about mental health issues in professional sports, inspiring others who may be struggling with similar battles.

The details

Woodland shot a final-round 3-under 67 to finish five shots ahead of runner-up Nicolai Højgaard, securing his first PGA Tour win since the 2019 U.S. Open. The victory punched his ticket to the upcoming Masters tournament. Woodland's journey back to the winner's circle began in 2023 when he started experiencing a range of serious health issues, including loss of appetite, shaky hands, chills, severe anxiety, recurring nightmares, and small seizures during sleep. He underwent brain surgery in September 2023 to remove part of a lesion, which immediately alleviated his fear and anxiety. However, Woodland was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the surgery, leading to symptoms like hypervigilance, difficulty concentrating, and emotional breakdowns during tournament rounds.

  • Woodland underwent brain surgery in September 2023.
  • Woodland was diagnosed with PTSD following his brain surgery.
  • Woodland won the Texas Children's Houston Open on March 29, 2026.

The players

Gary Woodland

A professional golfer who won the Texas Children's Houston Open in 2026, marking his first PGA Tour victory since the 2019 U.S. Open. Woodland underwent brain surgery and was diagnosed with PTSD in 2023, but has since fought to reclaim his life and career.

Gabby Woodland

Gary Woodland's wife, who he credited for her unwavering support during his recovery process.

Nicolai Højgaard

The runner-up at the Texas Children's Houston Open, finishing five shots behind Gary Woodland.

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What they’re saying

“We play an individual sport out here, but I wasn't alone today. I've got a lot of people behind me, my team, my family, in this golf world.”

— Gary Woodland, Professional Golfer

“Thank you. I wouldn't be anywhere before this without them. There's no chance I could do this without Gabby, for sure. This has been hard on me, this has been a lot harder on her. I love her to death.”

— Gary Woodland, Professional Golfer

“Everybody that's struggling with something, I hope they see me and don't give up. Just keep fighting.”

— Gary Woodland, Professional Golfer

“It's just another day, right, that I've got to keep healing. Today was a good day, but I'm going to keep fighting. I've got a big fight ahead of me, and I'm going to keep going. But I'm proud of myself right now.”

— Gary Woodland, Professional Golfer

What’s next

Woodland will now compete in the Masters tournament in two weeks, his first major championship since his health issues.

The takeaway

Woodland's emotional victory and openness about his mental health struggles serve as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges. His journey demonstrates the power of perseverance, the importance of a strong support system, and the need for greater awareness and understanding of PTSD and other mental health issues in professional sports.