Gary Woodland Withdraws from Valero Texas Open Before Masters

The golfer secured his spot at Augusta with a recent Houston Open win.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:18am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a golfer's swing broken down into overlapping planes of emerald green, sky blue, and warm ochre, conveying the mental and physical intensity of professional golf.A cubist interpretation of a golfer's swing captures the strategic focus and mental fortitude required to compete at the highest levels of the sport.Houston Today

Fresh off his Houston Open victory, professional golfer Gary Woodland has decided to withdraw from this weekend's Valero Texas Open, opting to take the week off before competing at the upcoming Masters tournament. Woodland's recent win at the Houston Open secured his spot in the Masters field, so he no longer needed to play at the Valero event to gain a berth.

Why it matters

Woodland's decision to skip the Valero Texas Open highlights the strategic planning top golfers undertake in the lead-up to major tournaments like the Masters. By taking a week off, Woodland can rest and prepare mentally and physically before competing at Augusta, where he'll look to capture his second major championship.

The details

Woodland recently opened up about his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder following a 2023 surgery to remove a brain lesion. Despite playing well last season and finishing runner-up at the 2024 Houston Open, Woodland said he was hurting badly and even broke down in tears at times. However, Woodland said admitting his mental health challenges made him feel '1,000 pounds lighter,' and he went on to win the Houston Open two weeks later - his first victory in nearly seven years.

  • Woodland won the Houston Open on March 26, 2026.
  • The Valero Texas Open is scheduled for April 3-6, 2026.
  • The 2026 Masters Tournament is scheduled for April 10-13, 2026.

The players

Gary Woodland

A professional golfer who recently won the Houston Open, securing his spot in the upcoming Masters Tournament.

Brooks Koepka

A professional golfer whom Woodland defeated at the 2019 U.S. Open, his last major championship victory prior to the Houston Open win.

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What they’re saying

“I appreciate that love and support. But inside, I feel like I'm dying, and I feel like I'm living a lie. I want to live my dreams and be successful out here. But I want to help people, too. I realize now I've got to help myself first.”

— Gary Woodland, Professional Golfer

What’s next

Woodland will look to build on his Houston Open victory and capture his second major championship title at the 2026 Masters Tournament, which begins on April 10.

The takeaway

Woodland's decision to withdraw from the Valero Texas Open demonstrates the strategic planning and focus top golfers employ in the lead-up to major tournaments. By taking a week off to rest and prepare, Woodland aims to be in peak physical and mental condition to compete for the coveted green jacket at Augusta.