Gary Woodland steps onto Augusta National’s first tee Thursday, his focus will be as much on spotting security personnel as on finding the fairway. The 2019 U.S. Open champion arranged extra on‑course protection after a 2023 brain‑tumour operation left him coping with PTSD. Diagnosed a year ago, the condition has reshaped his routine, making visual cues a lifeline in his daily routine.

Woodland earned his Masters slot by winning the Houston Open in late March, his first tour victory since breaking through as a major champion seven years earlier. The triumph gave him a berth alongside world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, but the amplified crowds and media presence add another layer of anxiety he manages by keeping security in sight.

The 41‑year‑old says visual confirmation of security staff lets him remind himself he’s safe, a tactic that helped him steady nerves on the final ten holes in Houston. Openly discussing his mental health has, he claims, made him stronger than three weeks ago. Ultimately, his preparedness turns a personal battle into a competitive advantage at Augusta.