"I've seen some signs"- A year after undergoing brain surgery, Gary Woodland chases Shriners Children's Open victory with an improved game
Gary Woodland is playing in the 2024 Shriners Children's Open at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas. After three rounds, Woodland was tied for third place, four shots off the lead.
This is not just another tournament for Woodland, it is the first time he has been in title contention since his brain surgery. The procedure was performed just over a year ago, so the 2019 US Open champion's recovery has been remarkable.
After the third round of the Shriners Children's Open, Gary Woodland talked about it with the press covering the event. Here's some of what he had to say (via ASAP Sports):
"I just hit a year couple weeks ago so that's exciting. It's all coming together. I'm feeling better and the game is coming around, which makes a lot of sense."
Woodland also told the press that he has noticed improvements in his game. Here's how he put it:
"Everything is starting to come together. I feel a lot better for one. That's a huge help. I've seen some signs. I've been back with Randy Smith for a couple months now."
"I am starting to drive it better, iron play, controlling the golf ball like I haven't in a long time, which is nice. Then putts start going in, start putting some good scores up."
Gary Woodland underwent brain surgery on September 18, 2023 to remove a lesion in his brain that was causing tremors in his hands and fatigue, among other symptoms. He had been feeling unwell since the beginning of the year.
Gary Woodland's return to competitive golf
It took Gary Woodland just over three months to return to competitive golf. It happened in January at the Sony Open in Hawaii, the second event on the PGA Tour schedule for the 2024 season.
Woodland made his first cut a month later at the Genesis Invitational, where he played thanks to a sponsorship exemption granted by Tiger Woods. His level gradually improved and he made the cut at The Players Championship (tied for 72nd).
Thanks to his 2019 US Open title, Wooland played all four majors of the season. He missed the cut at the Masters and US Open, but finished T60 at the PGA Championship and T50 at the Open Championship.
Wooland's 2024 season (not counting the Shriners Children's Open) can be summed up as 23 events played and 13 cuts made. His best finish to date is a T16 at the Sanderson Farms Championship two weeks ago, so he could leave TPC Summerlin with his first top 10 of the year.
The 4-time PGA Tour winner is not looking to keep his tour card at the FedEx Cup Fall, as he has it secured thanks to his 2019 US Open title. However, he needs to improve his current FedEx Cup ranking (155th) to have a better chance of playing in the 2025 Signature Events.