Trending Now - Gary Woodland Competes at Masters Amidst Health Struggles

WHO:

Newsweek - Gary Woodland, American golfer

CNN - Woodland's wife, Gabby

WHAT:

Newsweek - Woodland detailed his traumatic brain surgery and subsequent PTSD diagnosis.

CNN - Woodland suffers from severe anxiety and PTSD, believing someone might try to kill him.

CNN - Woodland won the Houston Open in March 2026, marking his first tournament victory in almost seven years.

CNN - Woodland has a total of five PGA Tour wins and over $38 million in prize money.

CNN - Woodland stated, “It’s a big week for me,” regarding his participation in the Masters.

CNN - Woodland described his experience at the Houston Open, saying, “I got hypervigilant on the ninth hole,” and battled anxiety during the last 10 holes.

WHERE:

CNN - Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia

CNN - Woodland played at the Houston Open, location unspecified.

WHEN:

CNN - Woodland underwent surgery to remove a brain lesion in 2023.

CNN - Woodland returned to competition less than four months after his surgery.

CNN - Woodland's victory at the Houston Open occurred in March 2026.

CNN - Woodland is competing in the Masters on April 9th, 2026.

WHY:

CNN - Woodland's anxiety and PTSD stem from personal tragedies, including the loss of a twin sibling and his brain surgery.

CNN - Woodland stated, “I wasn’t going to let this thing win,” referring to his brain tumor diagnosis.

HOW:

CNN - Woodland keeps a security detail on the course to help manage his anxiety.

CNN - Woodland sought counsel from a combat veteran ahead of his surgery.

CNN - Woodland described needing to see someone for reassurance of his safety during events.

(UPDATED April 9, 2026 19:22 UTC)

Gary Woodland, the American golfer, has opened up about his traumatic brain surgery and the severe anxiety and PTSD he has been battling since, which he attributes to personal tragedies including the loss of a twin sibling. After winning the Houston Open in March 20th26, his first tournament victory in almost seven years, Woodland is now competing in the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, where he has shared that he often feels hypervigilant and requires a security detail to help manage his anxiety. Woodland, who has five PGA Tour wins and over $38 million in prize money, emphasized his determination by stating, “I wasn’t going to let this thing win,” referring to his brain tumor diagnosis.