Gary Woodland PTSD Diagnosis and Brain Surgery Recovery |...

Former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland confirmed he was diagnosed with PTSD approximately one year ago following a September 2023 brain surgery.

Former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland confirmed Monday that he has been battling post-traumatic stress disorder since his 2023 brain surgery. The 41-year-old golfer, who underwent a procedure in September 2023 to remove a lesion pressing on his brain, revealed the diagnosis during an emotional interview with Golf Channel. Despite returning to the PGA Tour at the start of 2024, Woodland disclosed that he received the formal Gary Woodland PTSD diagnosis approximately one year ago. He is currently in the field for this week’s Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, maintaining a full competitive schedule despite ongoing symptoms.

Woodland’s medical journey began months before his surgery when tests identified the brain lesion. While the September operation successfully stopped the seizures he had been experiencing, the psychological impact persisted. The 2019 U.S. Open winner stated that he can no longer waste energy trying to hide his condition, noting that while fans often tell him he looks 100% recovered, he internally feels like he is dying. He emphasized that his focus must now shift toward his personal recovery, his family, and his professional dreams rather than maintaining a false front of perfect health.

Incident at the Procore Championship

Specific triggers have impacted Woodland during tournament play, notably during the second round of the Procore Championship last fall. While competing in the event—which served as a tuneup for the Ryder Cup where Woodland served as a vice captain—a walking scorer approached him from behind. This proximity startled the golfer, causing immediate physical and cognitive distress. Woodland informed his caddie, whom he called "Butch," that he could not handle the situation as his eyesight became blurry and he lost track of his actions on the course.

Following the encounter with the scorer, Woodland began crying in the middle of the fairway when it was his turn to hit the ball. To manage the episode and finish the round, his caddie provided sunglasses to mask his face. Woodland also utilized on-course bathrooms to weep privately before heading directly to his vehicle immediately after the round concluded. He described additional instances of crying in the scorer’s trailer and fleeing to his car out of fear, driven by a desire to no longer live in a state of secrecy regarding his mental health.

PGA Tour Safety Protocols and Security

To facilitate his continued participation in professional golf, the PGA Tour has implemented specific safety protocols for the four-time tour winner. These measures include providing extra security to accompany him during play to ensure his physical environment remains controlled. Woodland praised the organization for these accommodations, which help him navigate the overstimulating atmosphere of elite competition. He noted that while his doctors suggested that an ideal recovery environment would not involve the stress of professional sports, he remains committed to his career.

Woodland explained that his response to medical advice was that an ideal world would not include the trauma of his diagnosis in the first place. He views competing as a vital part of his identity and believes that continuing to play will ultimately aid his progress. The golfer’s voice trembled throughout the interview as he expressed a need to let his emotions out rather than suppressing them. By speaking publicly, he aims to stop living what he described as a lie, choosing instead to be honest about the difficulties he faces on a weekly basis.

Career Outlook and Recovery Goals

Since his return at the beginning of the 2024 season, Woodland has navigated the transition from major surgery back to the high-pressure environment of the PGA Tour. His diagnosis came roughly six months after his return to action. He continues to balance the demands of a full tournament schedule with the internal reality of his PTSD symptoms. Woodland reiterated that his energy is now dedicated to his recovery and his family, moving away from the exhaustion of hiding his struggles from the public and his peers.

The 2019 champion at Pebble Beach remains a prominent figure in the sport, and his presence at the Players Championship marks another step in his ongoing return. By utilizing the support systems provided by the Tour and being open about his mental state, Woodland intends to pursue his professional goals while managing the lingering effects of his 2023 health crisis. He concluded that no matter how difficult the process becomes, he intends to keep playing the game he considers his dream.