On Wednesday morning, four-time PGA Tour winner Gary Woodland took to social media to share with golf fans that he will be having surgery to remove a brain lesion on Sept. 18.
“I was diagnosed a few months ago and have been trying to treat symptoms with medication,” Woodland wrote. “After consulting with multiple specialists and discussing with my family, we’ve made the decision that surgery to remove the lesion is the best course of action.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, brain lesions are damaged areas of the brain tissue that can occur due to injury or medical conditions. A stroke is an example of a type of brain lesion. They can disrupt how your brain functions and cause weakness, sensory disruption and confusion.
“I’m in good spirits with my family and team by my side and so thankful for the love and support of everyone,” he added.
Woodland’s last tournament was the Wyndham Championship three weeks ago, where he tied for 27th. For the first time in a decade Woodland failed to finish inside the top 70 and did not qualify for the season-ending FedEx Cup Playoffs.
Thank you for your support during this time. GW pic.twitter.com/QSDlQqXFd0
— Gary Woodland (@GaryWoodland) August 30, 2023
In 24 starts this PGA Tour season, Woodland earned six top-25 finishes, two inside the top 10 at the Houston Open and Genesis Invitational. He also made the cut in three of the four majors.
Woodland is well known for his 2019 WM Phoenix Open practice round, where he invited Amy Bockerstette, a collegiate golfer with Down syndrome, to play the par-3 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale. After finding a greenside bunker, Bockerstette became an instant star by getting up-and-down for par.
Later that summer Woodland won the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach for his first major championship to beat two-time defending champion Brooks Koepka by three shots.
Woodland did not give a timetable for his return.
