Woodland bursts into tears as he claims title | Sports News

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

The 41-year-old obtained immense assist at Memorial Park Golf Course all through the week, following his public disclosure of his PTSD analysis forward of The Players earlier this month. As he ready for the successful 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 last spherical with a one-shot lead. However, whereas others faltered, the 2019 U.S. Open champion pulled away with 4 birdies in 5 holes earlier than the flip. He navigated the back 9 easily, dropping solely a single shot as he carded a three-under-par 67, solidifying a five-shot victory at 21 below.

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 within the Masters and improved his odds of qualifying for the PGA Championship and Open Championship.

He additionally pocketed $1.78 million in prize money. During a weekend overshadowed by Woods going through two misdemeanor expenses, together with driving below the affect, Woodland supplied a welcome distraction with what stands as one of essentially the most celebrated wins on the PGA Tour in recent times.

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 analysis in 2025, and after conserving his struggles non-public for a yr, he spoke candidly about his challenges in a Golf Channel interview earlier than 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 mentioned. “Everyone’s just been amazing. Every week I come out and everyone’s so excited and happy that I’m back.

“I hear that each week — ‘It’s so good to see you previous 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 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, acquired 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] mentioned, ‘Let’s go in.’ I mentioned, ‘No man, I’m right here for these guys. I wish to struggle by 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.”