Local doctor praises Woodland's PGA Tour win for raising PTSD awareness

UMass Memorial Health psychiatrist says Woodland's victory highlights importance of mental health support for athletes.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:12pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a golfer's swing broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of green, blue, and ochre, conceptually representing the mental and physical challenges of professional sports.Woodland's PGA Tour victory highlights the importance of mental health support for elite athletes.Houston Today

A local psychiatrist praised golfer Gary Woodland's recent victory at the Houston Open, saying it helped raise awareness about the challenges of dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in professional sports.

Why it matters

Woodland's open discussion of his PTSD diagnosis and how he has managed the condition sheds light on the mental health struggles that many elite athletes face, which is an important issue that often gets overlooked.

The details

Woodland, who has been open about his PTSD diagnosis, won the Houston Open earlier this month. Dr. Richard Listerud, Chief of Psychiatry at UMass Memorial Health-Harrington Hospital in Southbridge, said Woodland's victory was 'inspiring' and highlighted the importance of providing mental health support for professional athletes.

  • Woodland won the Houston Open on April 6, 2026.

The players

Gary Woodland

A professional golfer who recently won the Houston Open and has been open about his battle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Dr. Richard Listerud

The Chief of Psychiatry at UMass Memorial Health-Harrington Hospital in Southbridge, who praised Woodland's victory for raising awareness about PTSD in sports.

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What they’re saying

“Inspiring to me just like I expect it is to everyone else,”

— Dr. Richard Listerud, Chief of Psychiatry, UMass Memorial Health-Harrington Hospital

The takeaway

Woodland's open discussion of his PTSD diagnosis and his ability to overcome it to win a major PGA Tour event shines a much-needed spotlight on the importance of mental health support and resources for professional athletes.