Masters 2026: Gary Woodland talks about dealing with PTSD at Augusta

When major champion Gary Woodland walks to the first tee at Augusta National on Thursday, he’ll be checking where security is as often as he needs to land his opening flight.

The 2019 US Open champion has organized extra security measures to help him deal with the anxiety and stress that playing golf can cause him since undergoing brain surgery in 2023.

He announced last month that he has been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder since undergoing surgery to remove part of a brain tumor, although the mental health condition was not diagnosed until about a year ago.

In late March, he won the Houston Open — his first win since becoming major champion seven years ago — to qualify for this week’s Masters.

With the added pressure of playing in a major tournament and in front of larger crowds – Woodland will play the opening two rounds alongside world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Scot Robert McIntyre – he naturally took a cautious approach this week and, as is the case with PGA Tour events, organized extra security measures.

“The whole deal for me is that it’s visible,” he said. “If I can see someone, I can constantly remind myself that I’m safe.

“So now I have a good idea of ​​where security is at each hole. The important thing for me is that my holder knows that too, so he can constantly remind me.”

The 41-year-old American, who is competing in his 13th Masters, never knows what might trigger a seizure.

“I have no control when this thing hits me, and it’s hard,” Woodland added.

“It could be a fan. It could be a recorder walking. It could be a camera guy running next to me, just any surprise from behind me could trigger that very quickly.”

“Knowing where security is is a constant reminder that I am safe.”

Woodland said speaking out about his issues gave him more strength to deal with them.

“Talking about it and how I felt afterwards made me a lot stronger,” he said.

“I didn’t know that launching this fight would make me stronger, and it did. I feel much stronger now than I did three weeks ago.

“No matter how difficult it is here, I know I have someone I can talk to, and I can be safe.”

He attributed his win in Houston to being more open about his issues — and asking for support from security on the track.

“I had a big fight on Friday in Houston. I became hypervigilant on the ninth hole and fought the last 10 holes thinking people were trying to kill me,” Woodland said.

“I spoke to tour security that night and told them what I was going through, and every time I looked up at the weekend, my security team was behind me.

“Last year, I didn’t talk to Tour security. I fought it on my own. It was horrible. Turning around and knowing I’m safe, having someone there with me, that’s the only reason I won two weeks ago.”