Gary Woodland’s Albatross Sparks Cheers, But His Journey Is Far From Over

“First of all, I’m tired — my brain’s tired.”
Golf fans watched in awe as Gary Woodland made an incredible albatross during Round 2 of the 2025 Wyndham Championship. The roar from the crowd was electric — but behind the cheers lies a powerful story of resilience.

The 2019 U.S. Open champion is still recovering from brain surgery after having a benign tumor removed in 2023. In this emotional update, Woodland opens up about his recovery, mental fatigue, and how he finds peace — not in celebration, but in silence.

He also reveals his excitement about a new role: Vice Captain for Team USA at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. With his powerful comeback, Ryder Cup leadership, and gratitude-filled outlook, Gary Woodland proves that strength isn’t just about performance — it’s about perseverance.

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Gary Woodland delivered a moment of magic during round two of the 2025 Windham Championship and Albatross struck cleanly on his second shot on a par five. Finding the bottom of the cup, the crowd at Sedgefield Golf Club erupted. For a brief moment, everything felt normal again for everyone except Gary. The 2019 US Open champion is still navigating one of the most difficult chapters of his life. In September 2023, Woodland underwent brain surgery to remove a benign tumor. Though he returned to competition in January 2024 and even notched a few promising top 25 finishes, including 189 at the 2024 Shriners. The battle is ongoing. Earlier this year, he was honored with the PGA Tour Courage Award, which he humbly said belonged as much to those around him as it did to him. Despite flashes of his old form, Woodland made it clear this week that he’s still healing. First of all, I’m tired. My brain’s tired, he admitted when asked about his weekend plans. I want to keep playing the next four weeks, but I also need time off. My brain still needs to recover. For Woodland, recovery doesn’t mean relaxing on a couch or indulging in distraction. It means silence, stillness, and giving his body what it truly needs. I’ll get in a dark room for an hour and let my brain recover. He said it’s not dramatic. It’s just what I have to do now. I’ve learned to listen. His symptoms first surfaced in early 2023. Hand tremors and persistent intrusive thoughts. An MRI in April revealed a lesion pressing against the part of the brain that regulates fear. A cranottomy was urgently required. The road back hasn’t been easy mentally or physically, but Woodland remains committed to the game. Even if the results don’t always reflect the work he’s putting in, there are a lot worse things I could be doing than playing golf,” he added. Grateful just to be competing again. While he continues to manage his health, Woodland is preparing for an exciting new chapter. This time, not as a player, but as a vice captain for Team USA at the 2025 Rder Cup at Beth Page Black. Handpicked by Captain Keegan Bradley, Woodland will bring leadership, experience, and a calming presence to the American squad. This marks Woodland’s first Rder Cup role, though he previously represented the US in the 2019 President’s Cup in Australia. Now 41, he shown flashes of brilliance this season, including a runner-up finish at the Houston Open, experience that Bradley says will be essential to the team. As a major champion and someone still competing at a high level, Gary understands the pressure and demands of golf’s biggest stages. Bradley said he’ll be a huge asset to our team. Known for his explosive distance and tactical sharpness, Woodland brings more than just skill to the table. His resilience, his journey through adversity, and his deep understanding of course management under pressure all make him a uniquely valuable figure in the RDER Cup locker room. I’m fully committed to doing everything I can to help Keegan, our vice captains, and our team. Woodland said his battle is far from over, but so is his impact. And this fall, as Team USA aims for victory, Gary Woodland’s quiet strength may be one of its biggest weapons.