Gary Woodland, who a few weeks ago talked about stress issues following brain surgery in 2023, won the PGA Houston Open on Sunday, his first win since the 2019 U.S. Open.
The 41-year-old American shot a 3-under 67 in Sunday’s final round at Memorial Park, finishing 72 holes with a tournament-record 21-under 259 and beating Dane Nikolai Hugaard by five strokes.
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Earlier this month, Woodland tearfully revealed that she was still battling post-traumatic stress disorder following surgery to remove a brain tumor in 2023.
Just a few weeks later, Woodland scored his first win in seven years, after admitting that he wanted to walk off the golf course many times while struggling to regain his lost form.
“I hope that anyone who is struggling with something will look at me and not give up and keep fighting,” Woodland said, wiping away tears as he hit the 18th green after clinching his long-awaited victory.
The crowd chanted his name as Woodland waited for his final shot on the 18th green, and when he tapped in for the win, the crowd erupted in cheers, held his head up, exhaled, and tearfully hugged his wife, Gabby.
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“We definitely wouldn’t have a chance of doing this without Gabby,” Woodland said. “This has been hard for me, but even harder for her, and I love her to death.
“We play an individual sport here, but I wasn’t alone today. My team, my family, and so many people in this golf world supported me.”
Even in his moment of victory, Woodland realized that his battle with his emotions was not yet over.
“Today is another day where I have to continue my recovery. Today was a good day, but I’m going to keep fighting,” he said. “I’ve got a big fight ahead of me and I’m going to keep going, but I’m proud of where I’m at right now.”
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With the win, Woodland secured a spot in next month’s Masters at Augusta National, where his best finish was a share of 14th in 2023.
“My game is better than it’s ever been,” Woodland said. “I have to fight against some things, but my game is (okay).”
Woodland, who led after 54 holes for the first time since winning the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, won his fifth career title, which includes the 2011 Transitions Championship, 2013 Reno-Tahoe Open and 2018 Phoenix Open.
Woodland, ranked 139th in the world and runner-up in Houston last year, became the seventh player over 40 to win the title in Houston.
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Defending champion Min Woo Lee of Australia shared third place with American Johnny Keefer at 265.
Woodland sank a 10-foot birdie putt on the fifth hole to round out the front nine with three consecutive birdies. He made a putt from just inside 25 feet on the par-3 seventh hole, dropped his approach inches from the hole on the par-5 eighth hole for a tap-in, and made a 29-foot putt on the par-3 ninth hole.
Woodland missed a 6-foot par putt on the 14th, but had no trouble stumbling in the end.
Australian Adam Scott said: “I’m very happy that Gary played so well.” “That’s impressive.”
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– Scott and Lowry are the aces –
Scott, the 2013 Masters winner, aced the 189-yard par-3 11th hole and shot 71 to finish with a 272.
“It was a little windy, so it was a difficult wind for me,” Scott said. “It felt like I hit an 8-iron on the back foot, and it just pulled me in there perfectly.”
Ireland’s Shane Rowley shot a 68 to finish with 273, aceing the 170-yard par-3 second hole.
“I hit it with a 75 iron and it was a little cut, but it came out perfect,” Lowry said. “Just hit beautiful shots.”
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