Gary Woodland Honored with PGA Courage Award After Surgery

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – On Wednesday, the PGA Tour honored former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland with the Courage Award for his remarkable comeback after undergoing brain surgery. The surgery, which took place in September 2023, addressed a lesion causing him unfounded fears about his health. During the operation, surgeons removed a hole the size of a baseball from his head to excise the lesion.

Woodland, who has won the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach along with three other PGA Tour titles, is striving to regain his form both on the course and at home with his wife Gabby and their three children. Reflecting on receiving the award at the PGA National during the Cognizant Classic, Woodland credited the achievement to those who supported him.

“Receiving this is a testament to the people around me because there’s no way, one, I’d be back playing or no way I’d be sitting here today if it wasn’t for them,” Woodland expressed. “It means everything for me to receive it, but it really belongs to the people around me.”

The Courage Award is bestowed upon those who face exceptional adversity, such as personal tragedies or severe injuries and illnesses, and manage to make a significant impact on the world of golf. Previous recipients include Chris Kirk, who battled alcoholism, and Jarrod Lyle of Australia, who succumbed to leukemia. Erik Compton, who has undergone two heart transplants, also received this honor.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan acknowledged Woodland’s formidable challenges as he presented the award. “He’s overcome so many challenges, which is nothing short of miraculous,” Monahan remarked. “He continues to manage symptoms associated with his initial diagnosis while competing — and competing very well — at the highest level of professional golf. Gary Woodland is a constant inspiration to us all.”

Along with the award, the PGA Tour also makes a $25,000 contribution to the charity of the recipient’s choice. Woodland selected Champion Charities, and he, along with his wife, are matching the donation. This organization is dedicated to research and supporting patients affected by brain tumors, brain diseases, and brain trauma. Woodland was introduced to the charity by Harris Barton, a former San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle and his partner at this year’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, whose parents both passed away due to brain tumors.

Since his return last year, Woodland has secured one top 10 finish and is making the most of his last year of exemption from his U.S. Open victory. “At the end of the day, I’m fighting,” Woodland declared. “The last thing I’m going to let this do is let this thing in my head stop my dreams, and that’s why I fight every day. I want to be there for my kids and my family, but I want to chase my dreams, too. I’ve got a lot of dreams out here.”

He added, “I’m starting to understand what I need to do every day to function in life, but the things I’m doing to help with my brain are also helping me play golf, and I’m knocking on the door. It’s coming, and I’m going to keep knocking on that door until I bust through.”