Woodland bursts into tears as he claims title | Golf News

Gary Woodland skilled a wave of emotion after attaining one of the most extraordinary comeback tales in sports activities historical past, triumphing over mind surgical procedure and an ongoing battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to clinch the Texas Children’s Houston Open.

The 41-year-old obtained immense help at Memorial Park Golf Course throughout the week, following his public disclosure of his PTSD diagnosis forward of The Players earlier this month. As he ready for the profitable putt on the 72nd gap, chants of “Gary, Gary,” echoed from the spectators.

The PGA Tour star secured the win with a par on the ultimate gap, wanting skyward as his ball dropped into the cup. Emotions ran high as he embraced his caddie amid tears, and the poignant moments continued as he hugged his spouse, Gabby. It got here after Anthony Kim despatched prayers to Tiger Woods after his DUI car crash arrest.

Woodland entered Sunday’s remaining spherical with a one-shot lead. However, while others faltered, the 2019 U.S. Open champion pulled away with 4 birdies in 5 holes before the flip. He navigated the back 9 easily, dropping only a single shot as he carded a three-under-par 67, solidifying a five-shot victory at 21 under.

Nicolai Hojgaard completed second, with defending champion Min Woo Lee and Johnny Keefer trailing by one shot in third place. This marks Woodland’s first victory since his U.S. Open win at Pebble Beach seven years in the past. Along the best way, he secured his spot in the Masters and improved his odds of qualifying for the PGA Championship and Open Championship.

He also pocketed $1.78 million in prize money. During a weekend overshadowed by Tiger Woods dealing with three misdemeanor prices, including driving under the affect, Woodland offered a welcome distraction with what stands as one of the most celebrated wins on the PGA Tour in latest years.

Woodland underwent mind surgical procedure in 2023 to extract a benign tumor, returning to competitors in early 2024. However, the expertise left profound results. He obtained a PTSD diagnosis in 2025, and after conserving his struggles non-public for a yr, he spoke candidly about his challenges in 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 respect that love and help. But inside, I really feel like I’m dying, and I really feel like I’m dwelling a lie.”

Woodland described a particularly troubling incident at the Procore Championship in September. “I used to be hypervigilant,” Woodland said. “A strolling scorer startled me, obtained close to me from behind. “I pulled my caddie and said, ‘You can’t let anybody get behind me.’ Next thing you know, I couldn’t remember what I was doing. My eyesight started to get blurry.

“It was my flip to hit and I could not hit. [Caddie Brennan Little] said, ‘Let’s go in.’ I said, ‘No man, I’m right here for these guys. I need to battle through this.’

“I went into every bathroom to cry the rest of the day. When I got done, I got in my car and got out of there. There are days when it’s tough – crying in the scoring trailer, running to my car just to hide it. I don’t want to live that way anymore.”