Gary Woodland: Brain Tumor, PTSD, and PGA Tour Comeback

When a brain tumor diagnosis forced U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland into surgery in 2023, the choice was stark: let the illness end his career or fight back. He returned to win on the PGA Tour.

Born: May 21, 1984 ·
Major Championships: 1 (2019 U.S. Open) ·
PGA Tour Wins: 4 ·
Children: 2 ·
Brain Surgery Year: 2023

Six key facts about Woodland, one pattern: his journey from diagnosis to victory shows that medical adversity and elite performance can coexist.

What was Gary Woodland’s illness?

In 2023, routine tests revealed a lesion pressing on Woodland’s brain. He underwent a craniotomy on September 19, 2023, to remove it (Fieldstone Golf Club (club publication)). Doctors reported that the majority of the tumor was removed and that it was benign, but the experience left lasting psychological effects.

What is glioblastoma?

• Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain cancer with a median survival of 12–18 months with treatment (ESPN (major sports news outlet)). However, Woodland’s tumor was reported as benign, not cancerous.
• Woodland’s specific diagnosis has not been publicly detailed, so the label “glioblastoma” remains unconfirmed.

How was Gary Woodland diagnosed?

• Tests a few months before surgery showed the lesion (ESPN (major sports news outlet)).
• Woodland reported experiencing seizures, which stopped after the procedure (ESPN (major sports news outlet)).

The implication: Woodland’s health crisis was a sudden detour, not a gradual decline, which made the psychological shock all the more profound.

What has happened to Gary Woodland?

Woodland’s timeline is a story of three phases: diagnosis and surgery, recovery and return, then a dramatic victory that cemented his comeback.

Timeline: diagnosis, surgery, recovery, return to golf

• 2019: Won the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach (PGA Tour (official tour authority)).
• 2023 (unspecified): Diagnosed with brain lesion (ESPN (major sports news outlet)).
• September 2023: Craniotomy to remove the lesion (Fieldstone Golf Club (club publication)).
• January 2024: Returned to PGA Tour competition (PGA Tour (official tour authority)).
• March 2026: Publicly disclosed PTSD diagnosis before The Players Championship (PGA Tour (official tour authority)).
• March 2026: Won the Texas Children’s Houston Open by five shots, his first win in 6 years, 286 days (ESPN (major sports news outlet)).

The pattern: each phase of Woodland’s recovery was marked by a public milestone that redefined what was possible after a brain tumor.

Why does Gary Woodland have PTSD?

The psychological aftermath of brain surgery can be as challenging as the physical recovery. Woodland received a formal PTSD diagnosis about a year before his March 2026 disclosure (PGA Tour (official tour authority)).

What causes PTSD in brain tumor patients?

• Trauma from the diagnosis, invasive surgery, fear of recurrence, and changes in brain function can all trigger PTSD.
• Woodland described ongoing anxiety and fear, which he said affected his ability to sleep and focus (ESPN (major sports news outlet)).

How did Gary Woodland describe his PTSD?

• He said he was “done wasting energy trying to hide” his PTSD (ESPN (major sports news outlet)).
• He noted that the PGA Tour provided safety protocols and extra security when he plays (ESPN (major sports news outlet)).
• Yahoo Sports reported that Woodland described his condition as post-traumatic stress disorder rather than only physical recovery issues (Yahoo Sports (sports news platform)).

What this means: for Woodland, acknowledging PTSD was not a setback but a catalyst for his return to winning form.

How many children does Gary Woodland have?

Woodland and his wife Gabby have two children. Family has been a central anchor throughout his health battle.

Who is Gary Woodland’s wife?

• Gabby Woodland is Gary’s wife. They have been married since the early 2010s.
• She has been a visible support during his medical and golf journey.

What is his family background?

• Woodland was born in Kansas and attended University of Kansas before turning professional.
• He has two children, but their names and ages are not widely publicized to protect privacy.

The implication: family ties gave Woodland a reason to fight beyond his own career.

What is the life expectancy of a person with glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive brain cancers. The median survival with standard treatment is 12–18 months (ESPN (major sports news outlet)). However, Woodland’s tumor was reported as benign, so this statistic does not necessarily apply to his case.

What are the survival rates for glioblastoma?

• Five‑year survival rate is around 5–10% for glioblastoma.
• Woodland’s specific prognosis has not been publicly detailed, and he has not confirmed that his lesion was glioblastoma.

The catch: until Woodland discloses his full medical records, the public must rely on the benign description, which offers hope but incomplete certainty.

For Gary Woodland, the choice was never between golf and health — it was about managing both simultaneously. His return to victory lane proves that a brain tumor and PTSD do not have to end a career. But his openness about his mental health also signals a shift in professional sports: vulnerability is no longer a weakness, but a strategy for survival. For the PGA Tour and its fans, the implication is clear: support systems for mental health are not optional — they are essential, or athletes face the alternative of suffering in silence.

For a deeper look into Gary Woodland’s emotional journey, Gary Woodlands emotional journey details the full timeline from diagnosis to his triumphant return.

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