Woodland Eyes Remarkable Comeback at Houston Open
Gary Woodland, a beloved figure on the PGA Tour, is on the cusp of a sensational comeback victory at the Houston Open, a triumph that would be all the more poignant given his battle with a life-threatening brain tumour less than three years ago. The 41-year-old American showcased his grit and determination on Saturday, carding a superb 5-under-par 65 to seize a one-shot lead heading into the final round. This strong performance puts him in prime position to claim his first PGA Tour win since the 2019 US Open.
Woodland and his closest challenger, Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard, were in scintillating form during the closing stages of Saturday’s play at Memorial Park. Both players navigated the challenging final hour flawlessly, with Woodland’s late birdies propelling him to a slender lead. Højgaard, who fired a brilliant 63, remains hot on his heels, and the pair have created a significant gap, with no other competitor closer than five strokes.
Woodland’s journey back to the pinnacle of professional golf has resonated deeply with fans. His open and honest reflections on his recovery from brain surgery in September 2023, and his more recent candid discussions about his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at The Players Championship, have painted a picture of immense resilience. On the course, his game appears to be as sharp as ever, displaying a fluid swing and the full power of his athletic build.
“I’ve just got to take a deep breath,” Woodland commented after his 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.”
Holding a 54-hole lead for the first time since his major breakthrough at Pebble Beach in 2019, Woodland sits at an impressive 18-under-par 192. He attributes some of his recent success to a strategic adjustment in his iron shafts, a change made after noticing a slight loss of control as his swing speed returned.
Woodland’s closing stretch on Saturday was particularly impressive. He faced stern competition from Højgaard, who refused to yield. On the par-5 16th, Woodland confidently struck a 2-iron over the water and onto the green, a bold move that only a handful of players managed, ultimately leading to a two-putt birdie. His drive on the reachable par-4 17th was so powerful it bounced out of a bunker onto the collar, from where he expertly pitched to within five feet for another birdie.
Højgaard matched Woodland’s late surge, showcasing his own skill with a precise chip on the 16th for a birdie and a skillful up-and-down from a bunker on the 17th for a second consecutive birdie. The Danish talent, who re-entered contention with a 62 on Friday, continued his impressive form with a 63 on Saturday, marking 15 birdies and one eagle over the last two rounds.
Contenders and Masters Aspirations
Trailing Woodland and Højgaard by five shots are defending champion Min Woo Lee (67) and rising American star Michael Thorbjornsen (66). Sunday holds significant importance for Thorbjornsen, currently ranked No. 56 in the world. With the top 50 players after this week earning coveted invitations to the Masters, the Massachusetts native likely needs a strong performance, ideally finishing no worse than eighth, to secure his spot at Augusta National.
Meanwhile, Højgaard, currently ranked No. 47, is virtually guaranteed a Masters berth, barring an extraordinary turn of events. For Woodland, however, nothing short of a victory at the Houston Open will secure his return to the Masters. Yet, given everything he has endured, the allure of the Masters, while significant, pales in comparison to the personal victory he is poised to achieve.
Woodland’s surgery was a critical procedure to remove a substantial portion of a lesion that had been causing debilitating and unfounded fears of death. He made his return to the PGA Tour at the beginning of 2024, but it was only recently that he bravely shared his ongoing battle with PTSD, detailing moments of unexpected crying spells during rounds and instances of seeking refuge in bathrooms.
Publicly disclosing these struggles has been an immense source of relief for Woodland. He recently expressed feeling “1,000 pounds lighter” after opening up about his experiences.
Now, the focus shifts squarely to securing the Houston Open title, a tournament where he narrowly missed out on victory last year, finishing as runner-up. Woodland currently leads the field in approach shots to the green and ranks second in putting, a testament to his consistent play and the positive impact of a new putter that has aided his alignment.
Standing in his way is Højgaard, a talented 25-year-old Dane who made his Ryder Cup debut for Europe in 2023. His identical twin brother, Rasmus, has already earned his spot in the Masters. Nicolai Højgaard has three wins on the European Tour to his name, including the prestigious DP World Tour Championship at the close of 2023, but he is still seeking his maiden PGA Tour victory.
“You know it’s going to be a grind,” Højgaard remarked. “You know it’s going to come down to potentially the last few holes anyway. So you’ve just got to stay in the fight and play your best and do your best and then let’s see where we end up.”
