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Gary Woodland is a professional golfer from the United States. Born in Topeka, Kansas, Woodland started playing golf at a young age and went on to have a successful collegiate golf career at the University of Kansas. He turned professional in 2007 and has since become a well-known figure in the golfing world, with multiple PGA Tour wins and a major championship title under his belt.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gary Lynn Woodland |
| Birthplace | Topeka, Kansas |
| Date of Birth | May 21, 1984 |
| Nationality | American |
| Residence | Delray Beach, Florida |
| College | Washburn University, University of Kansas |
| Turned Pro | 2007 |
| Professional Wins | 6 |
| Highest World Ranking | 12 |
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Gary Woodland is from Topeka, Kansas, US
Gary Woodland is a professional golfer from the United States. He was born in Topeka, Kansas, in May 1984. Woodland attended Washburn University in Kansas on a basketball scholarship, but he left after his freshman season to play golf at the University of Kansas. He won four collegiate tournaments for the University of Kansas before turning professional in 2007.
Woodland secured his first PGA Tour win in 2011 at the Transitions Championship, beating fellow American Webb Simpson by a single stroke. This win earned him a place at the 2011 Masters Tournament and elevated his ranking to 53rd in the world. He ended 2011 ranked 17th on the PGA Tour money list and 51st in the world.
Woodland has continued to build an impressive golfing career. He won his third PGA Tour event in February 2018 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. In 2019, he held the lead entering the final round at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Maui, Hawaii, and shot a five-under-par 68, ultimately losing to Xander Schauffele.
Woodland's biggest victory came at the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, where he claimed his first major championship title. He held off Brooks Koepka by three strokes to win the tournament. Woodland's performance moved him from 25th to 12th in the Official World Golf Ranking. As of early 2025, Woodland has six professional wins to his name.
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He attended Washburn University on a basketball scholarship
Gary Woodland, the renowned professional golfer, was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas. Growing up in the heart of the Midwest, Woodland developed a passion for sports at an early age. Demonstrating versatility and athletic prowess, he excelled in multiple sports, including basketball and golf. Woodland's talent and potential in basketball caught the eye of many, leading him to receive a basketball scholarship offer from Washburn University, a prestigious academic institution located in his hometown of Topeka.
Accepting the scholarship, Woodland enrolled at Washburn University, where he became a key member of the school's basketball team, the Ichabods. During his time on the court, Woodland showcased his exceptional athleticism and skill, standing out as a talented player. He played as a power forward, leveraging his height and strength to dominate the paint. While his primary focus during this period was undoubtedly basketball, Woodland's affinity for golf remained, and he continued to nurture his passion for the sport.
Washburn University, nestled in the vibrant city of Topeka, offered Woodland a holistic educational and athletic experience. The university boasts a rich history and a strong reputation, providing Woodland with a supportive environment to pursue his academic and sporting ambitions. The Ichabods basketball team, a competitive force within the NCAA Division II, offered Woodland the platform to refine his skills and compete at a high level.
Although Woodland's primary athletic focus during his time at Washburn was basketball, his talent for golf was always evident. Even as a basketball player, he maintained a connection to the golf course, often practicing and playing casually with friends and teammates. This casual pastime would eventually evolve into something much more significant as Woodland's passion for golf deepened.
Woodland's time at Washburn University played a pivotal role in shaping his future career path. While he excelled on the basketball court, his innate talent and love for golf continued to grow. Ultimately, after graduating from Washburn with a degree in sociology, Woodland made the courageous decision to shift his focus solely to golf, marking the beginning of his journey toward becoming a professional golfer. This transition highlights Woodland's unwavering dedication to pursuing his passions and embracing new challenges.
The decision to attend Washburn University on a basketball scholarship proved to be a pivotal step in Gary Woodland's life. It not only allowed him to develop his basketball skills and pursue a higher education but also kept him connected to his love for golf. This foundation set the stage for his eventual transition to professional golf, where he has since achieved remarkable success, including multiple PGA Tour victories and a major championship title.
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Woodland turned professional in 2007
Gary Woodland, born in Topeka, Kansas, in May 1984, started playing golf from a young age. However, basketball was his first sporting love, and he attended Washburn University in Kansas on a basketball scholarship. After his freshman season, he left to play golf at the University of Kansas, where he graduated in 2007.
Woodland's first PGA Tour win came in 2011, and he has since accumulated six professional wins, including the iconic Waste Management Phoenix Open. His biggest victory came in 2019 at the US Open at Pebble Beach, where he claimed his first major championship crown. Woodland held off Brooks Koepka by three strokes, preventing Koepka from achieving a third consecutive title.
Woodland is a six-time winner during his professional career as of early 2025. He is a major champion and a solid PGA Tour player, soon to be an even more familiar figure after starring in the Netflix series Full Swing.
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He has won six professional tournaments
Gary Woodland is a professional golfer from the United States. He has won six professional tournaments.
Woodland's first professional win came in March 2011 at the Transitions Championship, his first PGA Tour title. He won by one stroke, securing a place at the 2011 Masters Tournament and elevating him to a career-high ranking of 53rd in the world.
In November 2011, Woodland won the Omega Mission Hills World Cup with Matt Kuchar. This win helped him finish the year ranked 17th on the PGA Tour money list and 51st in the world rankings.
In February 2018, Woodland won his third PGA Tour event at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. This victory ended a five-year drought on the tour and moved him up to fifth in the season's FedEx Cup standings.
Woodland's fifth professional win came in June 2019 at the U.S. Open. He shot a 2-under-par 69 for 271 (−13), giving him a three-shot margin over the two-time defending champion Koepka. This victory elevated him from 25th to 12th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Woodland's sixth and most recent professional win was at the 2019 Presidents Cup in December. As part of the U.S. team, he helped secure a 16–14 victory over the International Team at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia.
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Woodland underwent brain surgery in 2023
Gary Woodland is a golfer from the United States. In August 2023, Woodland revealed to the public that he had been diagnosed with a brain lesion. The following month, on September 18, 2023, Woodland underwent brain surgery.
The surgery was performed to remove a brain tumor, which had caused Woodland significant anxiety and a fear of dying. During the operation, doctors cut a hole in Woodland's skull the size of a baseball and removed a large portion of the tumor. However, they could not remove it entirely due to the risk of losing sight in his left eye and the use of the left side of his body.
Following the surgery, Woodland experienced a range of emotions, from fear and anxiety to gratitude and hope. He worked closely with his wife, Gabby, to find solutions to manage his new normal, including breathing techniques and medication to help slow down his brain during moments of high stimulation. Woodland also received tremendous support from people within and outside the golf world, which he credited for helping him get through this difficult time.
In February 2025, Woodland was awarded the PGA Tour Courage Award in recognition of his inspirational comeback. He has also been featured in Netflix's "Full Swing," which documented his medical situation and his journey back to the PGA Tour. Woodland's courage and determination to revive his golf career after brain surgery have inspired many, and he continues to work towards chasing his dreams and helping others through his story.
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Frequently asked questions
Topeka, Kansas, United States.
May 1984.
No, his first sporting love was basketball. He attended Washburn University in Kansas on a basketball scholarship but left after his freshman season to play golf at the University of Kansas.
Woodland turned professional in 2007.
