Gary Woodland Reveals PTSD Episode During Houston Open Win

AUGUSTA, Ga. Gary Woodland, the 2019 U.S. Open champion, revealed on Tuesday that he battled severe posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms during the final stages of the Houston Open last month, an event he won to earn a spot in this week's Masters tournament.

The 41-year-old golfer described feeling hypervigilant on the back nine during Friday's round at the Houston Open, to the point where he thought people were trying to kill him. Despite the episode, Woodland closed with a 3-under 67 on Sunday, finishing at 21 under par for a five-shot victory over Nicolai Hojgaard. It marked his first PGA Tour win since the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and the fifth of his career. His performance showcased returning strength, including a tee shot measured at 196 miles per hour, along with precise approach shots and a sharp short game.

Woodland's struggles trace back to medical scans that revealed a lesion on his brain, sparking intense fears of impending death. In September 2023, he wrote farewell letters to his wife and children before undergoing surgery to remove as much of the lesion as possible. The procedure required cutting a baseball-sized hole in the side of his head and proved...