Golf star fights back tears and admits he’s ‘living a lie’ in sad interview | Golf | Sport
Forty-one year old Gary Woodland was absent for a significant portion of the 2023 and 2024 PGA seasons following his brain surgery three years ago. While he largely remained silent about the consequences, the former US Open champion opened up on Monday. Woodland disclosed to the Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard that he’s been grappling with PTSD, alongside anxiety and hyper-awareness, as a consequence of the operation to address a brain lesion.
The four-time PGA champion continues his fight: he’s scheduled to participate in next week’s Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Nevertheless, Woodland – who failed to make the cut at last year’s tournament – is confronting his inner struggles. “I can’t waste energy anymore hiding this, and I’m blessed with a lot of support out here on the tour,” Woodland said on Monday.
“Everyone’s just been amazing. Every week I come out, and everyone’s so excited and happy that I’m back.
“I hear that every week – ‘It’s so nice to see you past this, it’s so nice to see you 100 per cent’ – and I appreciate that love and support. But inside, I feel like I’m dying, and I feel like I’m living a lie.”
Woodland’s 2023 operation enabled him to remove a brain lesion. Whilst his seizures ceased afterwards, he’s experienced PTSD symptoms ever since. The 41-year-old has sought professional help and aims to encourage others.
“I hope somebody that’s struggling sees me out here still fighting and battling and trying to live my dreams,” he said. “I’ve talked to veterans, and one thing I’ve heard from multiple people is you can’t do this on your own, no matter how strong you think you are.”
Woodland hasn’t delivered performances matching his earlier standards since his return, failing to make the cut at both majors he entered last year. Meanwhile, medical professionals have advised him to steer clear of high-pressure circumstances.
Nevertheless, he refused to abandon his ambitions. “In an ideal world I’m probably not playing,” Woodland said. “But in an ideal world I don’t have this. This is my dream.”
