Golf star breaks down in tears and hugs wife after winning first tournament since life-or-death surgery

Upon completing his final round, Woodland was overcome with emotion as his wife Gabby joined him on the 18th green.

The golfer broke down sobbing on her shoulder whilst spectators chanted his name in celebration.

His victory arrives after undergoing critical brain surgery in 2023 and publicly revealing his post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis earlier this month.

Woodland entered the final day holding a slender one-shot advantage over Danish player Nicolai Hojgaard, the former European Ryder Cup star.

However, the American quickly pulled away from his rival, who struggled throughout Sunday's round.

Woodland's exceptional short game proved decisive as he recorded four birdies across five holes on the front nine, establishing a commanding seven-shot cushion.

His sole mistake came at the 14th, where he dropped a shot, but by then the contest was effectively settled.

Hojgaard found himself four strokes adrift standing on the final tee and compounded his difficulties with a bogey at the last.

"We play an individual sport but I wasn't alone today."

An emotional Gary Woodland reflects on his win only a few years removed from brain surgery. pic.twitter.com/jflXsA3AcR

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 29, 2026

Woodland maintained his composure to sink a five-foot putt on the 18th, triggering an outpouring of emotion as the gallery serenaded him with chants of "Gary, Gary, Gary".

Speaking after his victory, Woodland reflected on his remarkable journey back to the winner's circle.

"I didn't give up. Golf's a lot like life: it's not easy, you hit bumps in the road but you've just got to keep fighting. And I'm proud that I did that," he said.

"I wasn't alone out there today. I haven't felt like this in a long time. A couple of years ago, this didn't seem like it was possible."

The American offered words of encouragement to others facing difficulties: "Anybody that's struggling with something, I hope they see me and don't give up. Just keep fighting."

He also paid tribute to his family's unwavering support, stating: "I wouldn't be anywhere without my family. There's no chance I could do this without Gabby. I love her to death."

Fellow professional Tommy Fleetwood posted his congratulations on social media, writing: "It was always 'a when not an if' Gary Woodland. So proud of everything for you and the family a huge inspiration to us all!!"

Woodland's path to this triumph has been marked by profound personal tragedy and medical adversity.

In 2017, he and Gabby suffered the devastating loss of one of their twins during pregnancy. Then in September 2023, surgeons performed a major operation that involved cutting a baseball-sized hole in his skull to extract a brain tumour pressing on the region controlling fear and anxiety.

Facing the possibility he might not survive, Woodland penned letters to his three children before the procedure.

His recovery, documented on Netflix's Full Swing, saw him return to professional competition just 115 days after surgery, subsequently making the cut at two majors in 2024.

Earlier this month at The Players Championship, Woodland courageously disclosed his PTSD diagnosis, describing the anguish of "dying inside" and "living a lie".