Gary Woodland's remarkable shot on 18th hole thrills gallery at RBC Heritage
Spectators who lined the 18th fairway and green at Harbour Town Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, chanted, “Gary, Gary,” on Sunday afternoon in recognition of what’s being called one of the top shots on the PGA Tour so far this season.
Gary Woodland, a 41-year-old University of Kansas graduate who is in the midst of a comeback from 2023 brain surgery as well as an ongoing fight against PTSD, holed out from 204 yards for an eagle 2 on the par-4, 458-yard No. 18 hole.
The remarkable iron shot from the right side of the fairway with two skips into the hole — his final hole of the 2026 RBC Heritage — assured him a tie for eighth place and massive $550,000 payday.
He was 3-over-par for the final round at the time of the shot with no birdies on the day. He finished the tourney at 11-under-par 273.
The PGA Tour on its X account captured the shot, calling it “a walk-off eagle for Woodland!”
“Look at this laser. Has got eyes. Right at it. Are you kidding?” CBS play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz exclaimed on the live telecast.
Commentator Trevor Immelman added: “Incredible was this shot from 204 back into that strong wind. Throw that shot in the hat for shot of the year!”
Woodland’s iron shot soared to within 10 feet and skipped twice before gently dropping into the hole to the delight of the gallery on 18.
Woodland tipped his cap and ran his left hand through his hair after removing the ball out of the hole to a thunderous, extended ovation from the fans.
“What a month he’s having … amazing,” Immelman said of Woodland, who won the Houston Open the last weekend of March and placed 33rd at The Masters.
Woodland shot a 5-under-par 66 on Saturday. That combined with his earlier rounds of 65 and 70 placed him in a tie for sixth at 12-under-par 201 entering the final 18-hole round.
Matt Fitzpatrick won the tourney in a playoff over Scottie Scheffler.
Scheffler, 29, was asked about Woodland’s comeback after Saturday’s third round.
“He’s been a guy that I’ve looked up to for a long time,” said Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 ranked golfer. “You spend a lot of time around Gary (and see) he’s a fantastic guy, a great competitor. The game of golf I think means so much to him and his family. It’s hard to watch him at times just because I know exactly what he’s going through, but the guy is so resilient. He’s so tough.
“For him to show up, especially after a (Masters) week like last week, which can be pretty draining mentally ... for him to show up this week and continue to play and compete the way he does is pretty inspirational.”
Woodland returned the compliment.
“What impresses me about Scottie? Everything, both on and off the golf course,“ Woodland said. “He’s just a stud. Does the right things. I learn visually, so being able to spend that much time around him and watch what he’s doing, there’s no doubt it’s helped me and helped my game.”
