Ex-US Open champion Gary Woodland admits he was ‘living a lie’ after hiding his PTSD following brain surgery

The 2019 US Open champion Gary Woodland has revealed he felt he was “living a lie” while concealing his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following life-saving brain surgery.

The 41-year-old underwent an operation in 2023 to remove a tumor. He returned to the PGA Tour the following year, but was diagnosed with PTSD a year ago.

Woodland described hypervigilance as a symptom, recalling an incident where he was startled by an on-course scorer, leading to blurred vision and tears.

He struggled to finish his round and spent the remainder of the day crying.

Speaking to the Golf Channel, Woodland said: “In an ideal world I’m probably not playing. But in an ideal world I don’t have this. This is my dream.”

He added: “There are days when it’s tough – crying in the scoring trailer, running to my car just to hide it. I don’t want to live that way anymore.

“I can’t waste energy any more hiding this and I’m blessed with a lot of support out here on the tour. I appreciate that love and support. But inside, I feel like I’m dying and I feel like I’m living a lie.”

Woodland’s 2023 surgery came just months after his best-ever finish at the Masters, when he came joint-14th.

He missed last year’s Masters after his five-year exemption from winning the 2019 US Open expired.

This year’s Masters is just weeks away, with the four-day event due to run from April 9-12.

Rory McIlroy will be aiming to defend his crown after completing his career grand slam in dramatic fashion at Augusta National last year when he beat Justin Rose in a play-off.

The final field for the Maters is yet to be confirmed, but Tiger Woods has teased a comeback after failing to play at all in 2025 due to his ongoing fitness issues.