Gary Woodland, the golfer who won the 2019 U.S. Open, has shared some surprising news. He announced on Wednesday that he will be undergoing brain surgery in just 19 days.
In a brief statement posted on social media, Woodland revealed that he has a brain lesion that needs to be surgically removed on September 18th.
“I wanted to share a recent health development with you,” Woodland wrote. “On Sept 18th, I’ll be having surgery to remove a lesion found on my brain. I was diagnosed a few months ago and have been trying to treat symptoms with medication. After consulting with multiple specialists and discussing with my family, we’ve made the decision that surgery to remove the lesion is the best course of action. I’m in good spirits with my family and team by my side and so thankful for the love and support of everyone.”
Brain lesions are areas of damaged brain tissue, and their effects vary depending on their location. Lesions in the frontal lobe can impact learning and executive function, while lesions in the parietal lobe can affect writing abilities. Lesions in the occipital lobe can lead to vision problems, including total blindness or difficulty recognizing faces and colors.
Woodland did not specify where his lesion is located or the symptoms he has been experiencing since his diagnosis. He mentioned that he had been managing his symptoms with medication, which allowed him to continue playing golf. He participated in seven tournaments since June, including the U.S. Open and the Open Championship. His most recent tournament was the Wyndham Championship in early August.
Woodland, 39, has been a professional golfer since 2007 and has achieved six professional wins, including his major championship victory at the 2019 U.S. Open. He is married to Gabby, and they have three children together: a son named Jaxson and twin daughters named Maddox and Lennox.