The golf community was saddened by the shocking revelation about Gary Woodland in May 2023. The veteran golfer had been facing a lot of medical issues for a while back then. He finally got himself diagnosed with a brain lesion that was causing him anxiety and fear. On September 19, the same year, Woodland underwent a craniotomy so the doctors could gain access to the tumor. After hours of surgery, the crew of professionals were able to successfully remove most of the tumor, turning it benign, and cutting any bloody supply to it to reduce the chances of further growth.

After 4 months of rehabilitation at home with his wife and three children, Gary Woodland was back on the course. He participated in the 2024 Sony Open in Hawaii where he missed the cut and exited the tournament after the second round. But fans were still pleased to see the smiling face of Woodland back in action after the challenging time he had.

To this day, Woodland doesn’t skip many PGA Tour events. He’s also one of the most beloved golfers on the course, which has earned him many exemptions in 2025. He and some others, including Tiger Woods, received backlash for the preferential treatment from the sponsors. But that hasn’t stopped Woodland from fighting it out every opportunity he gets. He is truly a brave individual and Jay Monahan & Co. recently acknowledged that.

Gary Woodland joined Jay Monahan for the pre-event press conference of the 2025 Cognizant Classic. Before the interviews began, Monahan made an announcement that might please the community. He led with “It’s an honor to be here at the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches to make a special presentation today. On behalf of the PGA TOUR and the entire golf community, I’m pleased to present Gary Woodland with the PGA TOUR Courage Award.” Explaining the significance of the prestigious award, Monahan added “The PGA TOUR Courage Award is not presented annually. It’s reserved for special individuals who face exceptional and extraordinary circumstances.” The award also comes with a $25,000 contribution from the Tour towards a charity of the recipient’s choice.

The PGA Tour Commissioner confirmed that Woodland was the 7th individual to receive the award. In the past, the likes of Chris Kirk, Morgan Hoffmann, and others have also received the award. Monahan acknowledged the challenges Woodland faced in 2023 and his “miraculous” recovery and comeback from it. He shared how the PGA Tour pro continues to compete at the highest level while also managing the symptoms constantly. In the end, Monahan stated that Woodland is an “inspiration” to his family, friends, peers, the PGA Tour organization, and “the individuals and families impacted through it.”

From battling fears to a strong return, anyone who isn’t aware of Gary Woodland’s journey, understand how impactful he has been on the PGA Tour. Let’s look at his records after returning from a life-threatening moment.

Gary Woodland’s incredible comeback story

Gary Woodland is a well-respected golfer. His triumph against Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, and Xander Schauffele in the 2019 U.S. Open was truly inspirational. But what is even more motivating is his record since coming back to the PGA Tour. Woodland may not have dominated the league in 2024. But his T9 finish at the 2024 Shriners Children’s Open is just as special as a win for some others. That’s because he was regularly dealing with challenges far more difficult than the course.

Woodland has been far more consistent in 2025. Out of the four events he has made, he made the cut thrice. His best performance was ironically in the 2025 Sony Open in Hawaii. The 40-year-old finished at T16, 5 strokes away from the top of the leaderboard. If his run of form continues, then fans might see him lifting a title after 6 years.

We believe that Gary Woodland will win the 5th PGA Tour championship of his career in 2025. Do you?