Min Woo Lee entered the PGA Tour’s winner circle on Monday morning to grasp his beautiful potential – however simply beneath the floor at Houston, an much more unbelievable story was brewing.
Only one shot behind Lee – who was profitable his first profession PGA Tour title – was American Gary Woodland whose golf comeback was taking a large leap forwards.
Woodland, 40, has overcome main well being challenges to make an unbelievable return to the PGA Tour after present process mind surgical procedure 18 months in the past.
FOX SPORTS, out there on Kayo Sports activities, brings you each spherical of the PGA Tour LIVE & Unique | New to Kayo? Get your first month for simply $1. Restricted time supply.
“This week was unbelievable, to be trustworthy with you,” Woodland mentioned.
“The followers have been completely wonderful. I battled some fatigue and stuff on the market and so they pushed me, they actually did. I fed off their vitality. Their love and assist actually carried me, particularly over the weekend.
“Immediately was wonderful and I wanted that increase, it was good.”
READ MORE
‘PUTT OF HIS LIFE’: Lee wins $2.7m PGA cliffhanger as Aussie survives all-time scare
‘INCREDIBLY UNFAIR’: New PGA villain emerges as picture exposes petty protest act in opposition to Aussie
‘Let him cook dinner’ Lee pumped over proud win | 02:10
He added: “That’s why I’m out right here, to show to them (his kids) you can overcome something and also you’ve simply acquired to maintain preventing, and I feel I confirmed a bit little bit of that right this moment.”
Woodland underwent a Craniotomy in September of 2023, after medical doctors found a lesion urgent on the a part of the mind that controls anxiousness and worry.
Woodland through the Mexico Open in Vidanta in Might of 2023 was overcome with extreme signs because of the lesion, comparable to tremors, chills, lack of urge for food and overwhelming worry. He initially managed his signs with treatment and continued to compete by the 2023 season regardless of the big psychological and bodily toll.
After lacking the 2023 Fed Ex Cup playoffs as a result of his situation, he underwent surgical procedure which was profitable in eradicating among the lesion whereas preserving his motor and imaginative and prescient capabilities.
“It’s arduous for me to get forward thinking-wise as a result of I don’t have the stamina to do it,” Woodland mentioned after the Houston Open.
“So a whole lot of breath work, a whole lot of issues to gradual every little thing down. I used to be in actually good management of my ideas and my feelings, which hasn’t been the case for me for a very long time. With that mentioned, right this moment was an excellent day for me.”
Remarkably, Woodland – the 2019 US Open champion – is now competing once more full-time whereas nonetheless managing signs from the surgical procedure.
And never solely is he simply competing however, simply earlier than the 2025 version of The Masters, he’s instantly discovering his finest kind once more.
He posted a 6-under 64 within the second spherical in Houston on Friday to maneuver up into the highest 5 heading into the weekend.
However he saved his finest for final, firing a shocking 62 within the remaining spherical which included a birdie-eagle-par-birdie end throughout the ultimate 4 holes.
After an extended stretch of taking part in signature occasions this 12 months with out ending inside the highest 20, Woodland is instantly on individuals’s radar once more.
That is Woodland’s finest efficiency on the PGA Tour since making his return and he has now moved up into the highest 50 of the FedEx Cup Standings.
Woodland’s 8-under 62 at Memorial Park Golf Course was a joint course report and noticed him end 19-under for the week. He hit an iron to 2 toes on the 18th gap and acquired a vigorous ovation from the gallery as he walked to the inexperienced to faucet in and safe a birdie.
This event was particular, because it’s one other stepping stone for Woodland to search out his manner again into the winner’s circle.
His redemption has been the most effective tales in golf.
Woodland was awarded the PGA Tour’s Braveness Award in February forward of the Cognizant Basic within the Palm Seashores. The Braveness Award honours those that overcome extraordinary adversity to contribute meaningfully to golf. Woodland, is the seventh recipient, becoming a member of the likes of Erik Compton and late Australian Jarrod Lyle.