In the world of golf, miracles do happen, and Gary Woodland’s incredible recovery and return to the course is nothing short of one. In May 2023, the golf fraternity was rocked by the news that the seasoned golfer was grappling with a life-altering medical condition. A brain lesion had been causing him considerable distress, leading to a craniotomy in September that year. Thanks to an expert team of medical professionals, the majority of the tumor was successfully removed, reducing further growth potential by cutting off its blood supply.
Following a four-month period of convalescence, alongside his wife and three children, Woodland made his comeback on the greens. Although he didn’t make it past the second round of the 2024 Sony Open in Hawaii, his presence was a testament to his resilience and tenacity after such a challenging ordeal.
Today, Woodland is a regular participant in PGA Tour events, earning him a spot in the hearts of fans and numerous exemptions in 2025. Despite facing criticism alongside other golfers like Tiger Woods for receiving preferential treatment from sponsors, Woodland remains undeterred, seizing every available opportunity to play. His steadfast courage was recently recognized by Jay Monahan and his team.
The 2025 Cognizant Classic pre-event press conference saw Woodland and PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan sharing the stage. The Commissioner had an announcement that was bound to uplift the spirits of the golf community. With an air of reverence, Monahan declared, “It is an honor to be here at the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches to present Gary Woodland with the PGA TOUR Courage Award.” He went on to detail the significance of the award, stating, “It is not presented annually, but is reserved for special individuals who face exceptional and extraordinary circumstances.”
Accompanying the prestigious award is a $25,000 contribution from the Tour towards a charity of the recipient’s choice. Woodland is the seventh recipient of the award, joining the ranks of Chris Kirk, Morgan Hoffmann, and others. Monahan highlighted the adversity faced by Woodland in 2023 and hailed his “miraculous” recovery. He praised Woodland’s continued dedication to perform at his peak while managing his symptoms, calling him an “inspiration” for his family, friends, peers, the PGA Tour organization, and all those impacted by his journey.
Looking back at Woodland’s impressive career, his victory against Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, and Xander Schauffele at the 2019 U.S. Open was nothing short of inspiring. However, his return to the PGA Tour after overcoming a life-threatening condition is even more remarkable. Though he did not dominate the league in 2024, his T9 finish at the 2024 Shriners Children’s Open was a significant achievement, considering the personal challenges he was wrestling with off the course.
In 2025, Woodland has shown remarkable consistency. Out of the four events he participated in, he made the cut three times. Interestingly, his best performance was at the 2025 Sony Open in Hawaii where he finished T16, just 5 strokes off the lead. With his current form, it’s possible we might see him lifting a title after a hiatus of 6 years.
As we look ahead, it’s hard not to believe that Woodland will win his 5th PGA Tour championship in 2025. After all, he’s already proven that he can overcome the toughest challenges life throws at him. It’s just a matter of time before he does it again on the golf course.