HOUSTON — Gary Woodland feels like a 1,000-pound weight has been lifted off his shoulders.
Two weeks ago at The Players Championship, Woodland made an emotional confession that he has been suffering from PTSD since undergoing brain surgery. He spoke candidly about his fears and anxieties in an interview with Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard. Woodland felt like she was hiding it, but at the same time she wanted to keep it close to her heart, so she decided to talk about it openly.
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Seventeen days later, that decision paid off.
“It was tough,” Woodland said. “I have a battle to fight, but it’s great to not do it alone, I can tell you that. We’re going to take it one day at a time and keep getting better. But the Tour here is a family and they’ve been great. The world of golf has been great and I’m so grateful.”
The four-time PGA Tour winner and 2019 U.S. Open champion said he gained a lot of confidence from last week’s Valspar Championship after missing out on the TPC Sawgrass. And this week, he changed his equipment and was able to compete again at the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
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A year after a remarkable 62 to tie for second place, Woodland started Thursday with a 6-under 64, birdied three of his last four holes and was one stroke behind Paul Waring after the opening round at Memorial Park. A big reason for that is that Woodland went back to the shaft he used when he won the U.S. Open.
“I didn’t hit it very well this year. My iron play and driver were great,” Woodland said. “I’ve been making some adjustments. My speed is definitely back up. It’s been down for the last few years, but now it’s back up. I went back to the old iron shafts that I’ve been using and everything tightened up. I made better mistakes today. I felt comfortable on the outside. It was really good.”
Woodland swing coach Randy Smith was a big reason he went back to the old shaft. Woodland said Smith gave him soft words and that Woodland needed to get back to his old ways of hitting golf balls as hard as he could.
Woodland’s swing speed has picked up in recent months, but his equipment hasn’t kept up. But Woodland has performed the way he wants this week, and the results will put him back in the spotlight in Houston.
Gary Woodland of the United States reacts after making birdie on the third green during the first round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open 2026 at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas on March 26, 2026.
“It was a process to get there, but I think I’m starting to hit the mark again like I was before,” Woodland said. “I definitely have some confidence.”
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Woodland hit the green from the tee and his putting was excellent in the opening round, but it was the culmination of a confidence and ability to swing freely that Woodland hadn’t had in years.
It also helps him not carry the burden of what he’s going through anymore. After getting a taste of contention at Memorial Park last year, Woodland hopes to recreate that feeling, and then some, this weekend.
“I haven’t been in a position like that for a long time,” Woodland said. “The fans were great last year, and I remember that. I had a really good round on Sunday, but the golf course has a really good environment for me. It allows me to be aggressive and play to my strengths right now. I’m looking forward to getting out there again tomorrow.”
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Gary Woodland discovers PTSD, gains confidence after changing iron shafts
