Gary Woodland hailed by Justin Rose and Adam Scott after emotional Houston Open victory
· Yahoo Sports
Gary Woodland produced one of the most emotional victories in recent PGA Tour history at the 2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open.
The American carded a final-round 67 to finish at -21 at Memorial Park, securing his first win since the 2019 US Open.
Visit syntagm.co.za for more information.
It marked a remarkable comeback after serious health concerns, and the reaction from his fellow professionals showed just how much it meant.
Justin Rose and Adam Scott were among those to praise Woodland after his victory.
Justin Rose and Adam Scott react as Gary Woodland wins Houston Open
Rose was quick to highlight the significance of the moment, posting a heartfelt message after Woodland’s win.
“What a moment… what an inspirational story. Congratulations, Gary Woodland and all Team Woodland,” the Englishman wrote.
Scott also spoke about the admiration Woodland commands on the PGA Tour, both as a player and a person.
“Well, I’m just so pleased for Gary playing so well. I just really look up to him as a mate who put it out there just a couple of weeks ago on television, what he’s dealing with. It is inspirational.
“But him being on the course, like he said, and we’re around him a lot in the physio room and the locker room, I think it does help him being out here. So pleased for him playing so well and hopefully getting it done here.”
Their comments reflect the respect Woodland has across the game, with his victory celebrated far beyond just the leaderboard.
Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty ImagesGary Woodland’s Houston Open win shows why this moment matters far beyond golf
Woodland’s triumph carries a significance that goes well beyond his scorecard.
In September 2023, he underwent surgery to remove a lesion on his brain. Although he returned to the PGA Tour in 2024, he had even been advised to step away from the game.
To now stand as a winner again — nearly seven years after his last victory — underlines the scale of what he has achieved.
This was his fifth PGA Tour title, but undoubtedly one of the most meaningful.
The scenes on the 18th green, with fans chanting his name as he embraced his caddie and his wife, Gabby, captured just how much the moment resonated.
And as the reactions from players like Rose and Scott show, Woodland’s comeback is one that has inspired not only fans, but those who compete alongside him every week.
Read more: