Trump reacts as PGA star wins first title after | Golf News

Gary Woodland’s triumphant return at the Houston Open has drawn acclaim from President Donald Trump.

Trump praised the seasoned golfer who has battled health challenges in latest years. Woodland entered Sunday’s last spherical holding a one-shot lead, and as his nearest opponents faltered, the 2019 US Open champion surged forward convincingly. He ignited his spherical early, recording 4 birdies across a five-hole span before the flip to take command.

The victory secures Woodland a spot at the Masters, bolsters his possibilities for the PGA Championship and The Open, and nets him $1.78 million in prize money.

After Woodland’s victory, Trump celebrated the golfer’s accomplishment on Truth Social, writing: “Congratulations to a great guy, and golfer, Gary Woodland, on his big win today in the Texas Children’s Houston Open. He shot 21 under par! What a GREAT comeback from a serious health problem he has achieved. Gary is a total WINNER!!!”

Woodland underwent mind surgical procedure in 2023 to take away a benign tumor and returned to aggressive play in early 2024. The ordeal left deep scars. In 2025, he acquired a PTSD diagnosis, and after sustaining silence about his mental health battles for a yr, he opened up during a Golf Channel interview before The Players two weeks in the past.

“I can’t waste energy anymore hiding this, and I’m blessed with a lot of support out here on the tour,” he said. “Everyone’s just been amazing. Every week I come out and everyone’s so excited and happy that I’m back.

“I hear that every week – ‘It’s so good to see you past this, it is so good to see you one hundred pc’ – and I recognize that love and assist. But inside, I really feel like I’m dying, and I really feel like I’m residing a lie.”

“I’ve a lot of people behind me, my group, my household. I hope anybody who is struggling with one thing I hope they see me and do not give up. Just keep preventing.

“It is just another day, I have to keep healing. Today was a good day but I have a big fight ahead of me and I am going to keep going but I am proud of myself right now.”

He shouldn’t be underestimated at Augusta. Right now, Woodland is rising as exactly the sort of story golf wants – a confirmed major champion staging a exceptional comeback. “This is my dream,” he said. “I have a lot of fight in me and I’m not going to let this thing win”.