Gary Woodland will be playing alongside Tiger Woods later this week. Genesis Invitational, the third Signature event in the calendar year, and the first for the 2019 US Open Champion, will be a test of strength for Woodland. How is he feeling ahead of the grand opportunity that came courtesy of Woods himself? 

Far removed from the anxiety and fear that gripped him for a long time and almost threw him on the verge of insanity, Woodland sounds confident. And, also back to his usual dark humor, the former US Open Champion once again quipped about the brain surgery that helped him come out of a dark period.

Gary Woodland is confident in his game

In his first four rounds since surgery, divided equally between the Sony Open and the Farmers Insurance Open, Woodland carded 71 in each. Although he couldn’t make the cut, it has been a steady progress, the 39-year-old revealed. “It’s getting better. Each week has been better,” Woodland told Colt Knost on the PGA Tour Sirius XM podcast. 

At the recently concluded WM Phoenix Open, the 2019 U.S. Open Champion broke 70 for the first time. But posting 4-under 67 in the second round was not enough to make the cut at the People’s Open, courtesy of his 8-over 79 on Thursday.

Gary Woodland explained why he missed the cut. Arizona was battered by heavy showers, gushing wind, and biting cold. Temperatures dropped to the 30s at times. “The titanium in my head froze. I couldn’t hit very well,” Woodland quipped in his characteristic humor.

Read More: Gary Woodland Returns After Brain Surgery Leaving Tiger Woods Biting the Dust Despite an Early 2023 Comeback

Riviera, though, will have sunny days when Woodland travels there for the Genesis Invitational. An opportunity for which he is grateful to Tiger Woods, the tournament host. 

Woodland will take a trip to Riviera

A late sponsor exemption at the Genesis Invitational came on Friday for the resurgent pro. Woods, who himself required an exemption as a host to tee up the Genesis Invitational, extended the same to Gary Woodland. The University of Florida alum is thankful. “Tiger giving me a spot means a lot. This is one of the best golf courses to play. This is gonna be such a great week.”

Gary Woodland should also thank Justin Thomas and his resurgent form. Thomas was slotted for the fourth exemption along with Adam Scott, Will Zalatoris, and the host himself. But his stellar output at the first three events saw him move to 21 in the OWGR, which automatically made him eligible for the $20M purse signature event.

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