Gary Woodland Returns To Masters After Brain Surgery Scare
Gary Woodland Returns To Masters After Brain Surgery Scare...
Four-time PGA Tour winner Gary Woodland is making an emotional return to competitive golf at the 2026 Masters Tournament, just seven months after undergoing life-threatening brain surgery. The 41-year-old Kansas native received a standing ovation during Tuesday's practice round at Augusta National, where he's competing on a special medical exemption.
Woodland revealed last September that he'd been diagnosed with a lesion on his brain that caused debilitating symptoms including tremors and extreme anxiety. After failed medication attempts, he underwent a 4.5-hour procedure to remove most of the mass in November 2025. "Walking onto these grounds today felt like a miracle," Woodland told reporters.
The 2019 U.S. Open champion's comeback story has dominated early Masters week coverage, resonating beyond golf circles. His candid social media updates about recovery—including videos of shaky-handed putting attempts just three months post-op—have drawn widespread admiration. Tournament security personnel reported unusually large crowds following Woodland's practice group.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley confirmed Wednesday that Woodland received one of the event's rare medical exemptions, typically reserved for past champions facing health challenges. The last player to compete under similar circumstances was Ben Hogan in 1961 after his near-fatal car accident.
Woodland's wife Gabby and their three young children traveled to Georgia for the tournament, with the family telling ESPN they view this week as "a victory regardless of score." The golfer has tempered expectations, stating his focus is on "enjoying every moment" after fearing he might never play again.
Neurosurgery experts note Woodland's rapid return to elite competition defies medical expectations. Dr. Linda Xu of Johns Hopkins told Golf Channel that most patients require 12-18 months before attempting such precision activities. Woodland credits an aggressive rehabilitation regimen at the Mayo Clinic for his progress.
The story has particular resonance this year as the Masters implements new safety protocols following last year's spectator injury. Tournament officials confirmed Woodland will have a dedicated security escort between holes, both for crowd control and medical monitoring.
Woodland tees off Thursday at 10:18 AM ET alongside 2018 champion Patrick Reed and rising star Tom Kim. Broadcasters plan special coverage of his opening shots, with CBS allocating additional cameras to follow his round.
