Tearful Gary Woodland's immediate reaction to first PGA Tour win since 2019 U.S. Open

An emotional Gary Woodland claimed his first PGA Tour title since the 2019 U.S. Open 19 days after revealing a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis. 

Woodland began the final round of the Texas Children's Houston Open with a one-shot lead over Denmark's Nicolai Hojgaard but cantered to victory at Memorial Park.

The 41-year-old mixed five birdies and one bogey in a final-round 67 to reach a 72-hole total of 21 under and win by five shots.

Hojgaard stayed within striking distance of Woodland through most of the front nine, but faltered at the seventh, where he dropped two shots after needing two attempts to escape a greenside bunker - and couldn't recover

The Dane had to settle for solo second, one clear of Australia's Min Woo Lee. 

Woodland was reduced to tears after rolling in the final putt, embracing his wife Gabby.

"I'll tell you what, we play an individual sport out here, but I wasn't alone today," Woodland said, fighting back tears. 

"I got a lot of people behind me, my team, my family and this golf world. Anybody that's struggling with something, I hope they see me and don't give up, just keep fighting."

Woodland's remarkable victory comes fewer than three weeks after revealing he was suffering from PTSD. 

The American had an operation to remove a brain tumour in September 2023 and returned at the start of last season. 

Although he has played regularly since, Woodland told the Golf Channel that he had been hiding the condition. 

"I can't waste energy any more hiding this, and I'm blessed with a lot of support out here on the Tour," Woodland told the Golf Channel.

"I appreciate that love and support. But inside, I feel like I'm dying and I feel like I'm living a lie."

Woodland said his symptoms were so severe that he would routinely wear sunglasses to hide his tears. 

His caddie pulled him aside during last year's Procore Championship and implored the golfer to walk off the course. 

Woodland had become overwhelmed after a walking scorer got too close to him.

But Woodland refused, explaining that he did not want to let his US teammates down as they were using the event as preparation for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage. 

"I went into every bathroom to cry the rest of the day. When I got done, I got in my car and got out of there," 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 any more."

He added: "I hope somebody that's struggling sees me out here still fighting and battling and trying to live my dreams."

"I want to help people, too. I realise now I've got to help myself first and hopefully this is the first step in doing that."

Elsewhere, major champions Shane Lowry and Adam Scott both recorded hole-in-ones. 

Lowry aced the second whilst Scott made his at the 11th. 

Next up on the PGA Tour schedule is the Valero Texas Open, followed by the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National. 

Rory McIlroy is not in the field, whilst world number one Scottie Scheffler is also absent. 

Scheffler was in the field for the Texas Children's Houston Open, but withdrew on the eve of the tournament for "family reasons". 

Golf Channel reported his wife Meredith is due to have their second child any day now.