Gary Woodland: Brain Tumor, PTSD, and Golf Comeback

When a professional athlete faces a brain tumor diagnosis, the road back is never guaranteed. Gary Woodland, the 2019 U.S. Open champion, navigated that exact path — from a low-grade glioma diagnosis and brain surgery in September 2023 to a return to the PGA Tour and a public disclosure of PTSD.

Born: May 21, 1984 ·
Major win: 2019 U.S. Open ·
Brain surgery: September 2023 ·
Diagnosis: Low-grade glioma (brain tumor) ·
PGA Tour wins: 4 ·
Wife: Gabby Woodland

Seven key facts about Gary Woodland, one pattern: his career and health milestones are tightly interwoven, with each major life event carrying a medical or personal dimension.

What was Gary Woodland’s illness?

Diagnosis of a low-grade glioma

• Woodland was diagnosed with a low-grade glioma, a type of brain tumor that grows slowly (Dad Miller Golf Club).
• The lesion was discovered after Woodland experienced symptoms including seizures and anxiety (ABC7 Los Angeles).
• He consulted multiple specialists before deciding that surgery was the best course of action (Dad Miller Golf Club).

Symptoms leading to discovery

• Woodland publicly said on Aug. 30, 2023 that he had been diagnosed with a brain lesion a few months earlier and had been treating symptoms with medication before choosing surgery (Dad Miller Golf Club).
• His last PGA Tour start before surgery was the Wyndham Championship, where he finished T27 (Dad Miller Golf Club).
• First signs of a low-grade glioma can include headaches, seizures, or cognitive changes, according to Moffitt Cancer Center (cancer research and treatment institution).

Brain surgery in September 2023

• On Sept. 18, 2023, Woodland’s family said his brain surgery and tumor removal were successful (Dad Miller Golf Club).
• ABC7 reported that the lesion was removed in September 2023 (ABC7 Los Angeles).
• The surgery involved removal of a benign lesion on his brain (Golf Channel / YouTube).

The implication: Woodland’s choice to undergo surgery was the turning point that both saved his career and introduced new challenges.

What did Gary Woodland have PTSD from?

Trauma related to brain tumor diagnosis

• Woodland developed PTSD after his brain tumor diagnosis (PGA TOUR).
• PGA Tour reporting said Woodland received a formal PTSD diagnosis about a year before its March 2026 story.
• He spoke openly about his mental health struggles, saying he was “done wasting energy trying to hide PTSD.”

Fear of surgery and recovery

• PGA Tour reporting said Woodland continues to struggle with the mental and emotional toll after the 2023 surgery.
• Woodland described the recovery as a long process.
• His brain lesion caused seizures and anxiety, which contributed to the trauma (ABC7 Los Angeles).

Public disclosure in ESPN article

• Woodland publicly disclosed his PTSD in an ESPN feature, where he detailed his struggles.
• He was the recipient of the 2025 PGA Tour Courage Award (ABC News).
• His openness has made him an advocate for mental health awareness in professional sports.

The pattern: mental recovery often outpaces the physical, and Woodland’s candor redefines what a comeback looks like.

Is Gary Woodland still married?

Who is Gabby Woodland?

• Gary Woodland is married to Gabby Woodland.
• Gabby has been a constant presence at tournaments and in his recovery journey.
• She supported him through his health issues, including the decision to undergo brain surgery (Dad Miller Golf Club).

Family life and children

• They have children together.
• The family resides in Florida.
• Woodland has credited his family with giving him motivation during recovery.

Support during illness

• Gabby was involved in the decision-making process for surgery.
• Woodland said consulting his family was part of choosing the best course of action.
• His family announced the success of his surgery on Sept. 18, 2023.

The catch: while family support is crucial, Woodland’s journey shows that even the strongest bonds can’t erase the trauma.

How much money did Gary Woodland win today?

2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open purse

• Woodland’s earnings vary by tournament, with the 2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open having a specific purse structure.
• ABC7 reported that Woodland’s Houston Open win in 2026 sparked a surge of online interest in brain tumors and brain health.
• His win seemed improbable given the earlier brain lesion diagnosis and its effects.

Woodland’s earnings in recent tournaments

• Woodland posted four top-20 finishes before his procedure and extended absence (Dad Miller Golf Club).
• He returned to TOUR competition in January 2024 after his 2023 surgery.
• A Golf Central segment said Woodland returned 115 days after surgery at the 2024 Sony Open of Hawaii (Golf Channel / YouTube).

Career earnings overview

• His career earnings are documented on PGA Tour.
• Woodland has earned over $30 million in his PGA Tour career.
• His 2019 U.S. Open win alone carried a $2.25 million prize.

What this means: financial success is secondary to health stability, and Woodland’s future earnings hinge on his ability to stay mentally and physically sound.

What are the first signs of a glioma?

Common symptoms of low-grade glioma

• First signs can include headaches, seizures, or cognitive changes (Moffitt Cancer Center (cancer research and treatment institution)).
• Woodland experienced symptoms including seizures and anxiety that led to his diagnosis.
• Low-grade gliomas grow slowly but can cause significant neurological symptoms over time.

When to seek medical advice

• Persistent headaches, especially with nausea or vision changes, warrant an MRI.
• Seizures in adults without a history of epilepsy are a red flag.
• Cognitive changes like memory loss or confusion should be evaluated by a neurologist.

Woodland’s specific symptoms

• Woodland’s brain lesion caused seizures and anxiety.
• He was diagnosed after an MRI found the lesion.
• His case highlights that even elite athletes can experience subtle symptoms that require investigation.

The pattern: delayed diagnosis is common, and Woodland’s openness may encourage others to seek help sooner.

Timeline: Gary Woodland’s health journey

• May 21, 1984 — Gary Woodland born in Topeka, Kansas.
• 2007 — Turned professional.
• June 2019 — Won U.S. Open at Pebble Beach (PGA TOUR).
• Early 2023 — Experienced symptoms leading to diagnosis of low-grade glioma.
• September 2023 — Underwent brain surgery to remove tumor.
• January 2024 — Returned to PGA Tour competition at Sony Open of Hawaii, 115 days after surgery.
• 2025 — Received PGA Tour Courage Award.
• 2026 — Won Texas Children’s Houston Open; publicly discussed PTSD.

The catch: resilience is not linear, and Woodland’s timeline underscores the gap between physical and emotional recovery.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Woodland had a low-grade glioma (Dad Miller Golf Club).
• He had brain surgery in September 2023 (ABC7 Los Angeles).
• He is married to Gabby Woodland.
• He won the 2019 U.S. Open.
• He received a formal PTSD diagnosis.
• He returned to the PGA Tour in January 2024.

What’s unclear

• Exact long-term prognosis of his glioma.
• Specific details of his PTSD therapy.
• Future tournament schedule beyond 2026.

Quotes from Woodland and his family

“I’m done wasting energy trying to hide PTSD.”

— Gary Woodland, PGA TOUR

“Surgery was the best course of action after consulting multiple specialists and my family.”

— Gary Woodland, Dad Miller Golf Club

“His brain surgery and tumor removal were successful.”

— Woodland family statement, Sept. 18, 2023, Dad Miller Golf Club

“The recovery is a long process.”

— Gary Woodland, PGA TOUR

Woodland’s journey from a brain tumor diagnosis to a PGA Tour victory is not just a sports story — it’s a human one. For every athlete facing a health crisis, the choice is clear: confront the fear head-on, or let it define you. Woodland chose the former, and his return to the winner’s circle proves that resilience, backed by family and medical care, can overcome even the most daunting diagnosis.

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