In an emotional interview that aired on the Golf Channel on Monday night, Gary Woodland said he couldn’t “waste energy anymore hiding” his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder that he’s dealt with since a 2023 brain surgery.
Woodland had successfully undergone the life-or-death procedure to remove a brain lesion in September 2023, but it took an immense emotional and mental toll on the former U.S. Open winner that left him trying to overcome PTSD.
“I can’t waste energy anymore hiding this, and I’m blessed with a lot of support out here on the Tour,” Woodland said during a lengthy interview. “Everyone’s just been amazing. Every week I come out and everyone’s so excited and happy that I’m back. I hear that every week — it’s so nice to see you past this, it’s so nice to see you 100 percent — and I appreciate that love and support. But inside, I feel like I’m dying, and I feel like I’m living a lie.”
Since he started his road to recovery, he has had to deal with anxiety and hyper-awareness that are common for someone who has been through neurological trauma.
He said that part of his desire to come forward with his struggles was to help serve as encouragement for anyone else dealing with similar issues.
“I hope somebody that’s struggling sees me out here still fighting and battling and trying to live my dreams,” Woodland said. “I’ve talked to veterans, and one thing I’ve heard from multiple people is you can’t do this on your own, no matter how strong you think you are.”
He added: “I want to help people, too. I realize now I’ve got to help myself first – and hopefully this is the first step in doing that.”
During the sitdown, Woodland recalled an instance that occurred during the FedExCup in the fall that highlighted how debilitating what he’s been going through can be/
A walking scorer had startled him when they had gotten close behind Woodland as he was walking down the fairway.
“I pulled my caddie and said, ‘You can’t let anybody get behind me.’ Next thing you know, I couldn’t remember what I was doing. My eyesight started to get blurry,” Woodland explained.
The PGA star said that he struggled to continue and that he “couldn’t hit” when it was his turn.
“Butch (caddie Brennan Little) said, ‘Let’s go in.’ I said, ‘No man, I’m here for these guys. I want to fight through this,’” Woodland continued. “I went into every bathroom to cry the rest of the day. When I got done, I got in my car and got out of there. There are days when it’s tough – crying in the scoring trailer, running to my car just to hide it. I don’t want to live that way anymore.”
Woodland did say the PGA Tour has since put on security protocols that have helped alleviate some of the issues when he’s on the course.
The 41-year-old said that his doctors have suggested that he avoid high-stress environments, which professional golf would surely fit into that category, but stepping away from the sport is not something that’s ever crossed his mind.
“In an ideal world, I’m probably not playing,” he said. “But in an ideal world, I don’t have this. This [playing golf] is my dream.”
