You can argue that no one deserved it more than Gary Woodland. When the 40-year-old sunk that 12-footer on the 18th for a birdie, the spectators felt the same. An 8-under round for a man whose sole concern a year ago was not going insane does merit a round of applause. Woodland, 40, was suffering from a rare case of brain tumor. A lesion on his amygdala–the part of the brain that controls fear and anxiety–made him feel like a ‘zombie’. He used to wake up at night fearing death. Brain surgery solved that. 

But the comeback has been a bumpy road. Woodland has made only 12 cuts from his 22 appearances and broke inside top-25 only once this season. On the back of that, a bogey-free round in the low 60s carries special meaning. 

“I knew it was coming. It’s hard to stay patient out here sometimes, but fortunately I’ve done that, and nice to see it all pay off,” Woodland said after the round. This is the second time Woodland carded a 64 this year. 

The last one came in the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge. But Colonial was a par-70 layout, and Woodland picked three bogeys as well. Compared to that, the 8-under 64 is a shot in the arm. 

The 40-year-old knocked on the doors of Randy Smith after the Procore Championship. The results are visible. On Thursday, Gary Woodland reached 16 of the 18 greens in regulation, gained 2.02 strokes around the green compared to the field, and 1.59 strokes off the tee. Little wonder Woodland was waiting for this breakthrough.

Sanderson Farms might be the stepping stone for Gary Woodland

Woodland revealed he had seen signs of improvement at home. However, the former US Open champion was unable to channel that in the professional arena. Asked about if it has been frustrating, Woodland didn’t have to think before answering. “Oh, it’s all frustrating. Everything is.” 

The problem was not just his swing, per se. It was keeping a sustained focus for a week. But, everything came together for the four-time PGA Tour winner at the Country Club of Jackson. He fluttered eight birdies, equally distributed between two nines.

“[W]hen you’re coming from where I’ve been and you’re starting to see signs, it’s been a little easier to stay positive, and it’s been nice to shoot some low rounds at home. A little frustrating out here, but it was nice today just to put it all together,” Woodland told the media persons after the first round. 

Currently, the University of Kansas alum is tied with Ben Griffin in third place. David Skinns leads the Sanderson Farms Championship leaderboard after a round of 60. Whereas, Michael Thorbjornsen is tied for second at 9-under. Gary Woodland will tee up with Zach Johnson and K.H. Lee from the 10th tee at 8.38 AM ET.