Woodland cherishes Masters return after surgery, PTSD fight
Gary Woodland returned to Augusta National for the Masters on Tuesday after winning the Houston Open in March to secure his spot. The 2019 U.S. Open champion underwent surgery in 2023 to remove a benign brain lesion that caused seizures, anxiety and fear. Symptoms persisted afterward, leading to a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis.
Woodland slowed his drive down Magnolia Lane this year more than in his 2011 debut. "I love this place," he said. "I love the tradition. There’s nothing like driving down Magnolia Lane."
He finished tied for 14th at the 2023 Masters months before surgery, missed the cut in 2024 and failed to qualify last year. Woodland met with security officials at Augusta this week. "The main deal is they were showing me where security is," he said. "If I can see somebody, then I can remind myself that I'm safe constantly."
Crowds near tee boxes can trigger him. "It's a big week for me this week," Woodland said. "The fans are very close on the tee boxes. There's a lot going on." At the Houston Open, he endured a tense final 10 holes of his second round fearing for his life despite security presence. That victory earned his Masters entry. "I'm emotional from the standpoint I know how close I probably was to never being back here," he said.