The Texas Children’s Houston Open

In a field packed with elite talent, it was Gary Woodland who emerged victorious once all was said and done at this year’s Texas Children’s Houston Open. The 41-year-old finished the Sunday 4 strokes clear of Nicolai Højgaard in a decisive victory, his first win since he bested the field at Pebble Beach at the 2019 U.S. Open.

Woodland started his Sunday with a one stroke lead over Højgaard with Min Woo Lee and Michael Thorbjornsen trailing 5 strokes behind the Dane. Woodland started with a steady game and finished his front 9 in style, sinking birdies on holes 5, 7, 8, and 9. Højgaard’s game was not as composed as both a bogey and a double bogey dampened the two birdies he’d made before his halfway point.

Højgaard would end up carding a disappointing 1-over final round while Woodland’s other competition failed to catch him. The American appeared poised and in control of his game even when dropping a shot on the 14^th hole. He walked onto the 18^th tee with a four-stroke lead and chipped onto the green with just a four-foot putt waiting for him.

Sinking his final putt on the 18^th green, Woodland was clearly overcome with emotion “We play an individual sport, but I wasn’t alone today. I’ve got a lot of people behind me, my team, my family. Anybody that’s struggling with something, I hope they see me and don’t give up – just keep fighting.”

Woodland underwent an operation to remove a brain tumour in September 2023 and has since revealed he’s been diagnosed with PTSD. His return to winning form is truly incredible and inspiring, and in his post-victory speech he cited the unshakeable support from his family as a big drive for his success:

“Thank you to my family. I wouldn’t be anywhere before this without them but there’s no chance I could do this without Gabby. It’s been hard on me, it’s been harder on her. I love her to death.”

A truly well-deserved victory, we love a heart-warming story about when a player overcomes personal difficulties to beat a talented field on the world stage. Next week we have The Masters at Augusta National and can’t wait for all the action to go down. If you’re at the club this week, you can always find us in the pro shop if you need us.