“Can’t Wait to Hug Him”: Masters Champion Reacts to Gary Woodland’s Emotional Comeback Win
HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 27: Gary Woodland USA watches his tee shot on 12 during the second round of the Texas Children s Houston Open on March 27, 2026, at Memorial Park Golf Course, Houston, Texas. Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAR 27 PGA, Golf Herren Texas Children s Houston Open EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2603270382
HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 27: Gary Woodland USA watches his tee shot on 12 during the second round of the Texas Children s Houston Open on March 27, 2026, at Memorial Park Golf Course, Houston, Texas. Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAR 27 PGA, Golf Herren Texas Children s Houston Open EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2603270382
Gary Woodland has completed one of golf's most emotional comebacks. His victory at the Houston Open, 30 months after brain surgery, has the sports world talking. Among them is a Masters champion with a heartfelt message for the winner.
With Gary Woodland securing his fifth PGA Tour title, two-time major winner Ben Crenshaw congratulated Woodland. "I can't wait to hug him. That was so moving," Ben Crenshaw said on Fairways Of Life.
"And to know what he's been through, I think that he did a great job of describing what he's gone through. Not many people say, well, God, he had this man had brain surgery and not knowing whether he'd ever play again," he added in the post they shared via X on Thursday.
Gary Woodland finished at 21-under-par (259) to win at Memorial Park Golf Course, securing a five-stroke lead. Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard placed second at 16-under.
“But watching him play, he has got the most beautiful rhythm and he kept it all throughout the day and the week. And that has got to be so, so moving for him to know that he's come back and compete like he has because he's a great, great player.”
Three years ago, in September, Woodland underwent brain surgery to remove a benign lesion that was pressing on the area linked to the fear response, which had led to anxiety and seizures.
Woodland later shared in last month that he had been dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during his recovery.
Ben Crenshaw Hints at a Moment He’s Waiting For With Gary Woodland
“I mean, you win the US Open at Pebble Beach, and he's such an affable guy. Everybody loves Gary Woodland, but I can't wait to see him congratulating like everybody else.”
The result at the Memorial Park Golf Course also secured his place in the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National.
It moved Woodland to No. 51 in the world rankings, his highest position in five years, following his return from brain surgery in September 2023. It also made him eligible for the remaining signature and elite events on the PGA Tour schedule.
At Augusta, Woodland will enter the field via his PGA Tour victory just one week before the final cutoff.
How did you react to Gary Woodland's comeback win? Tell us in the comments.
Written by
Aditi Singh
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi