Gary Woodland Uses Security Team to Manage PTSD at Masters

Gary Woodland will tee off at Augusta National this week with more than just his golf game on his mind. The 2019 US Open champion has arranged enhanced security measures to help manage the post-traumatic stress disorder that emerged following his 2023 brain surgery.

Woodland's approach to competing in high-pressure tournaments changed dramatically after he underwent an operation to remove part of a brain tumor. Though the PTSD diagnosis came only about a year ago, the 41-year-old American has learned to adapt his tournament preparation around his mental health needs.

"The whole deal for me is it's visual," Woodland explained before this week's Masters. "If I can see somebody, then I can remind myself that I'm safe constantly."

The visual confirmation of security personnel has become crucial to Woodland's ability to focus on golf. He and his caddie now scout security positions on every hole, creating a mental map that provides reassurance during competition.

Woodland's PTSD episodes can be triggered unexpectedly by seemingly routine tournament activities. The unpredictability of these moments makes preparation essential for managing his condition while maintaining competitive performance.

"I don't have control when this thing hits me, and it's tough," he acknowledged. "It can be a fan. It can be a walking scorer. It can be a camera guy running by me, just any startlement from behind me can trigger this pretty quickly."

The Masters presents particular challenges due to the tournament's prestige and larger crowds. Woodland will play alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler and Scotland's Robert MacIntyre during the opening rounds, adding another layer of pressure to an already intense environment.

Despite these challenges, Woodland earned his spot at Augusta through a breakthrough victory at the Houston Open in late March. That win marked his first tour victory since capturing the US Open seven years ago and demonstrated how his new support system enables competitive success.

The Houston triumph came after Woodland began communicating openly with tour security about his condition. Previously, he had attempted to manage episodes privately, which proved much more difficult during tournament play.

"I had a big battle on Friday of Houston," Woodland recalled. "I got hypervigilant on the ninth hole and I battled the last 10 holes thinking people were trying to kill me."

After speaking with tour security that evening, Woodland noticed immediate improvement in his mental state during weekend rounds. The constant visual reminder of safety allowed him to focus on his golf rather than scanning for potential threats.

"Last year I didn't talk to tour security. I fought this on my own. It was awful," he reflected. "Turning around and knowing that I'm safe, having somebody there with me, it's the only reason why I won two weeks ago."

Woodland's decision to speak publicly about his mental health struggles has provided unexpected strength. The transparency has connected him with support resources and fellow competitors facing similar challenges.

"Speaking about it and how I feel afterwards made me a lot stronger," he said. "I didn't know that releasing this battle was going to make me stronger, and it has done that."

As Woodland prepares for his 13th Masters appearance, his journey illustrates how professional athletes can compete at the highest level while managing serious mental health conditions through proper support systems and open communication.