Extra Masters Security Eases Anxiety Battle for Woodland

Gary Woodland will have special security measures at the Masters as he continues to manage post-traumatic stress disorder after brain surgery.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:22pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a golfer's swing broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of muted green, brown, and gray tones, conveying the mental challenges Woodland faces on the course.A cubist interpretation of a professional golfer's swing, reflecting the fragmented mental state that Woodland must navigate on the course.Houston Today

Gary Woodland, the 41-year-old American golfer, will have extra security measures in place at this year's Masters tournament as he continues to battle anxiety and stress following brain surgery in 2023 to remove part of a brain tumor. Woodland has been open about his mental health struggles, including episodes of PTSD that have made him want to run off golf courses at times. The extra security will provide a constant visual reminder that he is safe, helping him manage his condition during the high-pressure event.

Why it matters

Woodland's openness about his mental health challenges has helped raise awareness and inspired others facing similar struggles. His story also highlights the importance of providing professional athletes with the resources and support they need to manage mental health conditions that can significantly impact their performance and well-being.

The details

Woodland underwent surgery in 2023 to remove part of a brain tumor, which led to him developing post-traumatic stress disorder. This condition has caused him to feel hypervigilant and want to run off golf courses at times when startled by fans, walking scorers, or camera crews. To help manage his anxiety at the Masters, Woodland has met with Augusta National's security team and will have dedicated security personnel with him throughout the tournament, providing a constant visual reminder that he is safe.

  • Woodland underwent brain surgery in 2023 to remove part of a brain tumor.
  • Woodland won the Houston Open two weeks ago, his first victory since the 2019 US Open.
  • The 2026 Masters tournament is scheduled for April 10-13.

The players

Gary Woodland

A 41-year-old American professional golfer who won the 2019 US Open. He recently underwent brain surgery and has been open about his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder, which has caused him to feel hypervigilant and want to run off golf courses at times.

Augusta National

The golf club that hosts the annual Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. They have worked with Woodland to provide him with extra security measures to help manage his anxiety during the high-pressure event.

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What they’re saying

“I've met with Augusta. I've met with their security team. Just like on tour, I'll have security with me. The main deal is they were showing me where security is.”

— Gary Woodland, Professional Golfer

“The whole deal for me is it's visual, right? If I can see somebody, then I can remind myself that I'm safe constantly.”

— Gary Woodland, Professional Golfer

“Speaking about it and how I feel afterwards made me a lot stronger. I didn't know that releasing this battle was going to make me stronger, and it has done that.”

— Gary Woodland, Professional Golfer

What’s next

Woodland will continue to work closely with Augusta National's security team and his own personal security personnel to manage his anxiety during the 2026 Masters tournament, which is scheduled for April 10-13.

The takeaway

Woodland's openness about his mental health struggles and the steps he is taking to manage his condition, including the extra security measures at the Masters, serve as an important example of the challenges professional athletes can face and the importance of providing them with the resources and support they need to prioritize their well-being.