Comeback kid Gary Woodland leads by a stroke entering final round of Houston Open
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- Woodland leads Houston Open by one after three rounds, eyeing Sunday win.
- He had Sept. 18, 2023 brain surgery and now competes while managing PTSD.
- Højgaard is one stroke back; several others remain within reach for Sunday.
Former University of Kansas golfer Gary Woodland on Sunday could conceivably complete one of the greatest comebacks in not only PGA Tour history, but the history of professional sports.
It’s not hyperbole.
The 41-year-old Topeka native, who had surgery to remove a significant portion of a benign tumor on his brain on Sept. 18, 2023, fired a 5-under-par 65 on Saturday and leads the Texas Children’s Houston Open by one stroke entering Sunday’s final 18-hole round.
Woodland — he revealed in a recent interview with The Golf Channel he is currently battling post-traumatic syndrome disorder — holds a 1-shot lead over Nicolai Hojgaard, who shot a 7-under 63 on Saturday to go with earlier rounds of 68 and 62. Woodland has shot rounds of 64, 63 and 65.
Defending Houston Open champion Min Woo Lee and Michael Thorbjornsen are both at 12-under 198 through three rounds, meaning Woodland, at 18-under, has a 6-stroke advantage over the third-place golfers.
Wichita’s Sam Stevens and Jason Day are tied for fifth at 11-under on the Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston. Three golfers are 10-under and two are 9-under, meaning several still have at least an outside shot at overtaking Woodland with a big finish on Sunday.
This Houston Open marks first time Woodland has held the 54-hole lead in a tour event since he won the 2019 U.S. Open title at Pebble Beach. That’s his only title in a major.
According to the Associated Press, Woodland “has been helped by a change in shafts in his irons, noticing he was losing a little control as his speed began to return. His golf has looked as good as ever, with full control of his swing and full use of his athletic power.”
“I’ve just got to take a deep breath,” Woodland said after Saturday’s round. “I’ll have a good night ahead of me tonight to recover and rest, and tomorrow just don’t get ahead of yourself. I’m here, I put myself in this position for a reason, so take a deep breath and maintain what I’m doing.”
Woodland finished strong Saturday. He was one of only five players to reach the par-5 16th in two strokes. He birdied that hole.
He also birdied the par-4 17th. According to the AP, his drive “hit the bunker with such force that it hopped out onto the collar, and he pitched down to 5-feet for another birdie.”
The 25-year-old Højgaard, who hails from Denmark, has made 15 birdies and one eagle the last two rounds. He has three wins on the European tour, including the DP World Tour Championship at the end of 2023. He has yet to win on the PGA Tour.
Woodland returned to the PGA Tour following brain surgery at the start of 2024. He recently said in an emotional interview with The Golf Channel that PTSD has had him breaking down and crying in the middle of rounds, during which he’s tried desperately to hide his tears from fans and fellow competitors.
The lesion that was removed from his brain is from the part of the brain that causes moments of unfounded fear. He told the Golf Channel he feels “1,000 pounds lighter,” after revealing his PTSD.
“There’s no doubt, and I feed off that,” Woodland said of his supportive family and many fans. “This as much as any week, I feel like I’ve had a lot of support. Kind of feel like I’m playing at home. The fans have been amazing. I kind of need that energy to help me through the day, that definitely helps. That’s something hopefully I can ride on, as well.”
This story was originally published March 28, 2026 at 7:51 PM.
