Gary Woodland is chasing his fourth outright PGA Tour title at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, and should he land the trophy, it would complete a remarkable comeback of sorts for the immensely popular golfer.
However, since then, the man born in Topeka, Kansas has endured more than his fair share of bad luck and trauma.
Article continues below
Woodland underwent brain surgery to remove a benign tumor in September 2023 and has subsequently revealed he was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of the ordeal.
Even leading up to the surgery, Woodland shared he suffered with anxiety and was worried about death.
Thankfully, the former World No.12 has since admitted that he feels much better for revealing his issues and is back contending for PGA Tour titles once more.
Woodland’s first PGA Tour win arrived at the 2011 Transitions Championship, four years after he turned pro and just a few weeks after he lost to Jhonattan Vegas in a playoff at the Bob Hope Classic.
His college career was a fascinating period in his life, too, as he spent a year at Washburn University on a basketball scholarship before transferring to Kansas University and continuing college life as a golfer.
Speaking to TaylorMade about the decision, Woodland said that he gave up on basketball after playing in a game against the University of Kansas.
He said: “They were so much bigger and faster then we were. I quickly realized I wasn’t going to be able to play basketball as a professional – I probably could’ve gone overseas and played, but I wasn’t going to be able to do it as a career.”
During his time in education, Woodland studied sociology and won four college golf events. Since that time, Kansas University made the decision to name its golf complex after Woodland and he was inducted into the Topeka Sports Hall of Fame in June 2017.
And Woodland’s Alma Mater still means a lot to him with his favorite college team being the Kansas Jayhawks. On a similar theme, the professional football team he supports is the Kansas City Chiefs.
Woodland…
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Latest from Golf Monthly…