Gary Woodland secured his first PGA Tour victory since undergoing brain surgery in September 2023, winning the Texas Children's Houston Open by five strokes. The emotional triumph came seven years after his 2019 US Open win at Pebble Beach and earned him a spot in next month's Masters at Augusta National.

The 41-year-old American credited his success to opening up about his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder following the operation. Woodland revealed he has battled anxiety and hypervigilance, experiencing an episode during his second round in Houston when spectators got too close. He praised the PGA Tour's security team for helping him through difficult moments.

Woodland's victory represents far more than a million-dollar payday. Inspired by veterans who encouraged him to share his story, he thanked his wife Gabby for her unwavering support throughout his medical journey. The win marks a triumphant return for a player who missed four cuts in his first six events of 2026 before finding his form at the Valspar Championship and ultimately claiming the Houston title.