Gary Woodland Bio
Gary Lynn Woodland is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour. Born on May 21, 1984, in Topeka, Kansas, he is best known for winning the U.S. Open in 2019, his first major championship and sixth professional victory. After a standout college golf career, Woodland turned professional in 2007 and briefly competed on the Nationwide Tour before earning his PGA Tour card.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing roughly 190 pounds, Woodland combines power with steady course management. He gained further attention for his resilience after undergoing brain surgery in 2023, and was honored with the PGA Tour Courage Award in February 2025. He is married to Gabby Granado and the couple has four sons.
Early Life and Background
Gary Lynn Woodland was born on May 21, 1984, in Topeka, Kansas, to Dan and Linda Woodland. He grew up in the Topeka area, where he attended Shawnee Heights High School in the nearby suburb of Tecumseh. His upbringing in Kansas introduced him early to a wide range of sports, and he developed into a versatile athlete during his high school years.
After graduating from Shawnee Heights High School, Woodland accepted a basketball scholarship to Washburn University, also located in Topeka. He spent his freshman year on the basketball court before deciding to follow a different athletic path. He transferred to the University of Kansas in Lawrence on a golf scholarship, where he studied sociology while building his reputation as a top college golfer.
At the University of Kansas, Woodland emerged as one of the most promising amateur players in the country. He won four collegiate tournaments during his time with the Jayhawks, showcasing the power game that would later define his professional career. His college success convinced him to leave school early and pursue a professional career.
Path to Professional Golf
Woodland turned professional in 2007, leaving the University of Kansas with a strong amateur resume. He began his career by playing a handful of tournaments on the Nationwide Tour in 2007 and 2008, gaining experience against seasoned professionals. While his early results were modest, he used those seasons to refine his swing and adapt to the demands of competitive touring.
In late 2008, Woodland entered the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament and finished tied for 11th, securing a full PGA Tour card for the 2009 season. His rookie year proved difficult, as he made just eight cuts in 18 events before a shoulder injury ended his season in July. He returned the following year and split time between the PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour, gradually finding consistency without yet recording a top-ten finish.
The turning point came in early 2011, when Woodland contended at the Bob Hope Classic and finished tied for first before losing a playoff to Jhonattan Vegas. That same spring, he captured his first PGA Tour victory at the Transitions Championship, a breakthrough that announced his arrival among the Tour’s rising stars.
Gary Woodland Career
Early Career (2007–2010)
Woodland’s early professional years were shaped by steady improvement and perseverance. After turning pro in 2007, he played select Nationwide Tour events while earning his PGA Tour card through the 2008 qualifying school. His debut PGA Tour season in 2009 was shortened by a shoulder injury, but he rebounded in 2010 by retaining full Tour status through another solid qualifying school performance.
During this period, Woodland developed the driving distance that would become his calling card. While he struggled to consistently post top finishes, his ball-striking ability drew praise from instructors and peers alike. By the end of 2010, he had positioned himself for a breakthrough the following season.
PGA Tour Breakthrough (2011–2017)
Woodland announced himself as a Tour winner in March 2011 at the Transitions Championship, where he held off Webb Simpson by one stroke. The victory earned him a spot in the 2011 Masters Tournament and lifted him into the top 60 of the Official World Golf Ranking. Later that year, he partnered with Matt Kuchar to win the Omega Mission Hills World Cup, capping a breakthrough season that ended with him ranked 17th on the PGA Tour money list.
Over the next several seasons, Woodland remained a consistent presence on Tour, regularly contending in events that rewarded length off the tee. In 2015, he reached the final of the WGC-Cadillac Match Play, where he lost to Rory McIlroy, and climbed to a career-best 32nd in the world rankings. He continued to post quality finishes and built a reputation as one of the Tour’s longest hitters.
Major Success and the 2019 U.S. Open (2018–2019)
In February 2018, Woodland ended a five-year winless drought by capturing the Waste Management Phoenix Open in a sudden-death playoff over Chez Reavie. The victory lifted him to fifth in the FedEx Cup standings and signaled a return to top form. Later that summer, he held the 36-hole lead at the PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club and finished tied for sixth, his best major result to that point.
The defining moment of Woodland’s career came in June 2019 at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Holding the 54-hole lead, he closed with a 2-under-par 69 to win the U.S. Open by three shots over two-time defending champion Brooks Koepka. The 13-under-par total made him the fourth champion in U.S. Open history to finish double digits under par, and the win moved him from 25th to 12th in the Official World Golf Ranking. In December 2019, he represented the United States at the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, helping the U.S. team defeat the International side.
Recent Years and Recovery (2020–2025)
Following his U.S. Open triumph, Woodland continued to compete at a high level on the PGA Tour. In August 2023, he publicly shared that he had been diagnosed with a brain lesion. He underwent lengthy brain surgery on September 18, 2023, and spent months in recovery before returning to competitive golf.
In February 2025, the PGA Tour recognized his perseverance by awarding him the PGA Tour Courage Award. Woodland’s comeback story has inspired peers and fans alike, reinforcing his reputation as one of the Tour’s most resilient players.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beyond his 2019 U.S. Open victory, Woodland is remembered for a viral moment during the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open practice rounds. He invited Amy Bockerstette, a collegiate golfer with Down syndrome, to play the par-3 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale. After Bockerstette holed a bunker shot for par, the video amassed more than 43 million views. Following his U.S. Open win, Woodland FaceTimed Bockerstette and later appeared with her on The Today Show, crediting her positive energy for the victory.
Gary Woodland Career Wins
Gary Woodland has recorded six professional victories, highlighted by his 2019 U.S. Open triumph. His wins span the PGA Tour, the World Cup, and developmental circuits, reflecting a career built on power, persistence, and timely performances.
PGA Tour Highlights
Woodland’s first PGA Tour win came at the 2011 Transitions Championship, a breakthrough that established him on Tour. After a five-year winless stretch, he captured the 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open in a sudden-death playoff over Chez Reavie. His most significant victory arrived at the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, where he finished 13 under par to claim his first major championship by three shots.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his individual PGA Tour titles, Woodland teamed with Matt Kuchar to win the 2011 Omega Mission Hills World Cup. Earlier in his career, he recorded a win on the Adams Pro Tour, further evidence of his competitive foundation. His Presidents Cup appearance in 2019 added a high-profile team event to his resume.
Gary Woodland Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Gary Lynn Woodland was born to Dan and Linda Woodland in Topeka, Kansas, where he continues to make his home. He is married to Gabby Granado, and the couple has four sons. His Kansas roots have remained central to his identity throughout his professional career.
Woodland has often spoken about the role his family played in his recovery from brain surgery in 2023. Their support, along with the encouragement he received from fans and fellow players, helped him return to competitive golf and continue his career on the PGA Tour.
2025 Season Performance
Gary Woodland entered the 2025 PGA Tour season continuing his comeback following brain surgery in September 2023. His persistence was formally recognized in February 2025 when he received the PGA Tour Courage Award, an honor that reflected both his playing career and his resilience through significant health challenges. The award underscored the respect Woodland has earned from peers across the Tour.
Throughout the 2025 season, Woodland has maintained his status as one of the Tour’s longest hitters while focusing on consistency and health. He has continued to compete in major championships, drawing on the experience of his 2019 U.S. Open victory as motivation. His presence in the field remains a reminder of the determination that has defined his career.
Looking ahead, Woodland’s goals for the remainder of 2025 center on steady performance, competitive appearances in the FedEx Cup playoffs, and continued health. Whether contending for titles or mentoring younger players, he remains a respected figure whose 2019 major breakthrough and subsequent comeback story continue to inspire the golf community.