Gary Woodland • Neurosurgery • PGA TOUR • Lesion • Brain Surgery

Gary Woodland, a four-time PGA Tour winner and a graduate of the University of Kansas, revealed Wednesday morning that he will have brain surgery on September 18 to remove a lesion.

“I was diagnosed a few months ago and have been trying to treat symptoms with medication,” Woodland explained. Surgery to remove the lesion has been decided upon following consultation with numerous professionals and family members.

In the message’s caption, he said, “Thank you for your support during this time.” He added that he is feeling fine.

The University of Kansas men’s golf team shared a message of solidarity on its social media pages, reading: “Our programme, and all of Jayhawk Nation, are with you during this tough time. To GW, with best wishes for a rapid recovery! I hope to run across you at the Jayhawk Club again soon.

The 39-year-old Woodland, who turned pro in 2007, saw his career on the PGA Tour gather some steam in the early 2010s. On his eighth attempt, he won the 2019 U.S. Open Championship, and he finished the year ranked No. 12.

So far in 2023, Woodland has competed in 24 PGA Tour tournaments, scoring two top-ten finishes. His best-ever Masters finish was a tie for 14th place in April.

Brain Surgery

Lesions on the brain signify damaged or injured brain tissue, and their location determines the severity of the symptoms they cause. Issues with learning and executive function have been linked to damage to the frontal lobe. The ability to write can be affected by lesions in the parietal lobe. Blindness, or at least difficulty recognising people and certain colours, can result from damage to the occipital lobe.

Since Woodland did not specify in his statement where the lesion is located, we have no idea as to the nature of his symptoms. He claimed he’d been taking medication for his problems, and it was working well enough for him to return to the game. Since the beginning of June, he has competed in seven tournaments, including the United States Open and the Open Championship. He hasn’t competed since early August, when he was at the Wyndham Championship.

A professional since 2007, Woodland is 39 years old. He won the 2019 U.S. Open, giving him a total of six professional victories. Jaxson and identical daughters Maddox and Lennox were born to him and his wife Gabby, whom he wed in 2016.