Gary Woodland is making a triumphant return to the Masters this week, fresh from his victory at the Houston Open, but behind the scenes, he has been grappling with severe mental health challenges. The former U.S. Open champion has opened up about his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder, revealing that during a recent tournament, he felt hypervigilant and believed people were trying to kill him.
A Powerful Admission of Mental Health Struggles
Woodland's confession is no joke; it is a raw and honest account of his inner turmoil. He hopes that by sharing his story, he can help others dealing with trauma, anxiety, and PTSD. His struggles stem from a brain lesion discovered in September 2023, which caused unfounded fears of dying. Before undergoing surgery to remove the lesion, Woodland wrote letters to his wife and children, preparing for the worst.
The Road to Recovery and Triumph
The surgery involved cutting a baseball-sized hole in his head, but it was successful. Woodland returned to golf in January 2024, slowly regaining his form. Last year, he finished second at the Houston Open, and this year, he won the tournament, overcoming a bout of hypervigilance on Friday and closing with a 3-under 67 on Sunday for a five-shot victory over Nicolai Hojgaard.
Few knew that Woodland was still battling PTSD, which left him crippled by anxiety. He would rush to bathrooms to break down in tears and constantly felt threatened. One symptom of PTSD is heightened sensory sensitivity, keeping the nervous system in a perpetual state of alert.
Seeking Help and Finding Strength
Woodland credits his win to seeking help, including confiding in PGA Tour security. "I talked to Tour security that night," he said, "and I told them what I was going through. Having somebody there with me? It's the only reason I won two weeks ago." His ball speed reached 196 mph on a tee shot, showing his physical strength had returned, complemented by sublime approach play and a sharp short game.
He emphasized that as an athlete, he had always tried to fight through challenges alone, but this battle required support. "This is honestly one battle that I'm not able to do on my own," Woodland admitted. By going public with his diagnosis in a Golf Channel interview and speaking openly at the Masters, he has turned a perceived weakness into a strength.
Facing New Challenges at Augusta National
This week at the Masters presents another test for Woodland, with more fans likely to follow him after his Houston Open win. The close proximity of patrons to players at Augusta National can be triggering, but the PGA Tour and Masters have collaborated to provide security to help him feel safe.
"There's probably not a safer golf tournament in the world," Woodland noted, "but it's still a battle in my head if I'm safe or not." He explained that any sudden movement, like a fan or camera person, could trigger his anxiety, but having security nearby serves as a constant reminder of safety.
Woodland's journey highlights the importance of mental health awareness in sports, showing that even top athletes face profound struggles and that seeking help can lead to both personal and professional triumphs.
