Gary Woodland’s toughest year recovering from brain surgery is also his proudest

Gary Woodland has vivid memories of Bellerive, the tournament closest to his Kansas hometown. In 2018, he led the PGA Championship after 18 and 36 holes and started the final round two shots behind, his first Sunday in a major alongside Tiger Woods. "I'd never seen anything like that," Woodland recalled. "It was ruckus. It was awesome. I was watching him and got caught up in him."

Woodland believes that experience contributed to his victory in the U.S. Open the following year at Pebble Beach, which remains the most significant moment of his career. However, this year stands out as the toughest, as he works on recovering from brain surgery to remove a lesion that caused unfounded fears of death. He still experiences anxiety from sudden movements, and drones are a particular annoyance. "I need to be a no-fly zone," Woodland joked.

In March, Woodland shared his emotional journey with PTSD in a Golf Channel interview. Doctors performed brain surgery in September 2023, which left him with lingering challenges. This season, Woodland is playing in his first BMW Championship in six years at Bellerive, the same course that marked his illustrious career. Earlier this year, he also won the Houston Open, an emotional victory among his top 10 finishes and a U.S. Open win.

Despite the difficulties, Woodland has gained extra security measures and support from fans and fellow golfers. He has earned sponsor exemptions for the $20 million signature events in 2025 and is now assured of playing in all of them next year. Although he may not reach East Lake in Atlanta, each step he takes towards Bellerive is a significant achievement, as he faces and overcomes numerous challenges to make it to the top tournaments.