Gary Woodland’s Major Victory Win Marks a Remarkable Journey Through Adversity
Gary Woodland won the Texas Children’s Houston Open on Sunday, an emotional triumph that seemed unimaginable just 30 months ago.
After reaching the pinnacle of his sport in 2019, his world began to unravel in ways he couldn’t explain. Then came the diagnosis: a lesion on his brain was causing unfounded, overwhelming fears of dying.
Woodland underwent surgery in September of 2023 that required a baseball-sized hole be cut from the side of his head. He returned to competition months later looking normal on the outside, but internally was still struggling. Woodland suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event — or, as in Woodland’s case, by prolonged physical and psychological trauma. Symptoms can include intrusive thoughts, anxiety, emotional numbness, and a persistent sense of dread.
Woodland told the public about his battle with PTSD a few weeks before the competition bringing awareness to the subject.
Standing on the 18th green on Sunday, arms outstretched and tears streaming, Woodland shared how he hopes to show others what it means to never give up when they are facing difficulties.
If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD symptoms can seek help from the following resources:
National Suicide and Crisis Life:
Offers 24/7 support from trained crisis counselors for anyone experiencing suicidal or emotional distress. Call or text 988.
National Traumatic Stress Network:
Offers information on how to support traumatized children and adolescents. Visit https://nctsn.org/ to learn more.
Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital:
Call 305-355-7147 or visit JacksonBehavioralHealth.org to learn more about Jackson’s mental health services.
Image: Jhansen23, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
