what was gary woodland brain surgery

Gary Woodland’s brain surgery was in September 2023, when he had an operation to remove a brain lesion/tumor. He later returned to PGA Tour competition in January 2024 and has spoken publicly about the mental and emotional aftermath of that recovery.

Quick scoop

The surgery was not a routine minor procedure; reports describe it as brain surgery to remove a lesion, with later coverage also referring to it as a brain tumor operation. Woodland has since said he has dealt with PTSD related to that experience, which he discussed publicly ahead of The Players Championship in March 2026.

What happened

• Timing: September 2023.

• Procedure: Surgery to remove a brain lesion/tumor.

• Recovery: He returned to competition in January 2024.

• Later update: In March 2026, he said he was still working through PTSD after the surgery.

Why people are talking about it

Woodland’s story has gotten renewed attention because he recently won the 2026 Houston Open, which many outlets connected to his long comeback after the brain surgery. That made the surgery part of a broader comeback narrative rather than just a medical headline.

If you want, I can also give you a very short “what happened / why it matters” version for posting or sharing.