Hello, Golf fans! If you love following the Golf and admire world-class, Gary Woodland is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Gary Woodland stands as one of professional golf’s most compelling comeback stories. As a four-time PGA Tour winner and 2019 U.S. Open champion, Woodland has built an impressive career marked by resilience, consistency, and an remarkable recovery from brain surgery in 2023. His journey from a basketball player turned golfer to major championship winner showcases his exceptional dedication and mental fortitude.
Gary Woodland’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Gary Lynn Woodland |
| Nickname | “The American Bomber” |
| Date of Birth | May 21, 1984 |
| Current Age | 41 years old |
| College | University of Kansas (KU) |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) |
| Weight | 195 lbs (88 kg) |
| Turned Professional | 2007 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $20 million |
| Annual Earnings | Approximately $773,857 |
| Spouse | Gabby Woodland |
| Children | son; Jaxson Lynn, twin daughters; Maddox Jean and Lennox Lee |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Residence | Delray Beach, Florida |
| Instagram Profile | @gary.woodland |
Early Career
Gary Woodland kicked off in golf after hoops at Washburn University, switching to the University of Kansas on a golf scholarship. There, he crushed four amateur wins like the Kansas Amateur twice. Turned pro in 2007, he hit the Nationwide Tour (now Korn Ferry) for spotty starts in 2007-08. By late 2008, he tied 11th at PGA Q-School, grabbing a full 2009 PGA Tour card. Rookie year? Rough—eight cuts in 18 starts, then a shoulder injury sidelined him for months. Still, he bounced to full status again via Q-School.
Professional Career
Woodland’s professional breakthrough arrived in March 2011 at the Transitions Championship at Innisbrook Resort, where he claimed his first PGA Tour title with a final-round 67, finishing at 15-under par. This maiden victory at age 26 demonstrated the talent that scouts had recognized. He continued his success with a 2013 Reno-Tahoe Open victory, earning $540,000 for that triumph. The 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open marked his third PGA Tour victory—a playoff win over Chez Reavie that netted him $1,242,000 and ended a five-year winless drought, suggesting his best golf remained ahead of him.
Then came his defining moment: the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, where he became a major championship winner. Playing against Brooks Koepka, who was attempting to win three straight U.S. Opens, Woodland shot 68-65-69-69 for a 13-under total of 271—the lowest score ever recorded at Pebble Beach in a U.S. Open. He won by three strokes, earning $2,250,000 and catapulting himself into golf’s elite.
This victory launched him to 12th in the Official World Golf Ranking and positioned him as a major championship contender for years to come. Since that 2019 win, Woodland has remained a consistent presence on the PGA Tour, demonstrating top-tier ball-striking ability and driving distance that continues to rank among the tour’s best even in his early 40s.
Wife
Gary’s happily married to Gabby Woodland since 2016—they got engaged around 2014. She’s his rock, especially through his 2023 brain lesion surgery and recovery. They have three kids: son Jaxson and twin girls Maddox and Lennox, born after a tough loss of one twin in 2017. Family keeps him grounded amid Tour chaos.
Gary Woodland’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Gary Woodland’s net worth sits around $20 million, fueled by PGA prize money over $31 million career and endorsements. That’s from four Tour wins including $2.25M U.S. Open check, plus steady top finishes. Add sponsor cash from gear and watches, it stacks up solid for a grinder who’s overcome injuries and health battles.
Prize Money
| Year/Tournament | Event Name | Prize Money |
| 2019 | U.S. Open Championship (Winner) | $2,250,000 |
| 2018 | Waste Management Phoenix Open (Winner) | $1,242,000 |
| 2013 | Reno-Tahoe Open (Winner) | $540,000 |
| 2011 | Transitions Championship (Winner) | $990,000 |
| 2019 | Masters Tournament (T32) | Approximately $75,000 |
| 2025 | AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (T22) | $158,272 |
| 2025 | American Express (72nd Place) | $18,492 |
| 2025 | Wyndham Championship (T23) | $75,850 |
| 2025 | Sony Open (T11) | $132,675 |
| 2023 | Masters Tournament (T14) | $333,000 |
| 2022 | U.S. Open (T10) | Approximately $600,000 |
| Career Total | PGA Tour Official Earnings | $36,402,325 |
| Career Total | All Professional Earnings | $41,425,210 |
Endorsements
- Cobra Golf – Equipment partnership since 2023 for clubs (drivers, fairway woods, irons)
- Puma Golf – Head-to-toe apparel sponsor since 2019, continued through 2026
- Volition America – Special ambassador contract signed December 2024 for apparel brand
- Titleist – Golf ball and equipment supplier
- Breitling SA – Luxury watch sponsor (Superocean Heritage model featured)
- CDW – Technology solutions partner sponsoring junior golf initiatives
- Security Benefit – Financial services and retirement planning partner (renewed 2023)
- NetJets – Private aviation services sponsor
- Wilson Golf – Previous equipment partner (2019-2022)
- Troon Golf – Course management and golf operations affiliation
Career Records
| Achievement | Details | Opponent(s) / Context |
| Major Championships | 1 Win (U.S. Open 2019) | Defeated Brooks Koepka by 3 strokes |
| PGA Tour Wins | 4 Total (2011, 2013, 2018, 2019) | Various opponents across different tournaments |
| Best World Ranking | 12th (achieved after 2019 U.S. Open) | Significant jump from 25th pre-tournament |
| Career Cuts Made | 283 of 391 (72.4% success rate) | Demonstrates consistency |
| Top 10 Finishes | 55 career Top 10s | Average of 3.7 per full season |
| Presidents Cup Selection | Team USA (2019) | International team competition |
| World Cup Victory | 2011 (with Matt Kuchar) | Represented USA internationally |
| Playoff Record | 1-1 in PGA Tour playoffs | Won 2018 Phoenix Open (beat Chez Reavie) |
| Driving Distance | Ranked 2nd on 2026 PGA Tour (327.1 yards) | Consistently top 5 in driving distance |
| 2025 Season Performance | 16 made cuts, 8 top-25 finishes, $2,031,035 earnings | Nearly $92,000 per event entry average |
| Masters Tournament Best | T14 (2023) with career-low 68 first round | Strong Augusta National performances |
| PGA Championship Best | T6 (2018) with 10-under total, led after 36 holes | Competitive in all majors |
| Open Championship Best | T12 (Royal Troon, 2016) | Limited European tour success |
FAQs
1. How did Gary Woodland transition from basketball to golf?
Woodland initially attended Washburn University on a basketball scholarship in 2002-2003, where he played as a point guard. However, he recognized superior opportunities in golf and transferred to the University of Kansas on a golf scholarship, where he won four amateur tournaments before turning professional in 2007. This multi-sport background is relatively uncommon among elite golfers and demonstrates his exceptional athleticism and adaptability.
2. What happened to Gary Woodland’s brain health and surgery?
In August 2023, Woodland announced that he had been diagnosed with a brain lesion after experiencing anxiety, fear, and partial seizures. Doctors discovered the lesion was located on the part of his brain controlling fear and anxiety. After trying seizure medication, he underwent craniotomy surgery on September 19, 2023, where doctors successfully removed the majority of the benign tumor, cut off its blood supply to prevent regrowth, and confirmed the lesion was non-cancerous. He walked out of the hospital two days after surgery and returned to PGA Tour competition in January 2024.
3. What is Gary Woodland’s primary source of income?
Woodland’s primary income comes from PGA Tour prize money, with approximately $36.4 million earned from tournament play across his career. Secondary sources include endorsement deals with equipment manufacturers (Cobra, Puma, Titleist) and service providers (Breitling, CDW, NetJets), which collectively contribute six or seven figures annually. His most lucrative single payday was the 2019 U.S. Open victory worth $2.25 million.
4. How many children does Gary Woodland have?
Gary and Gabby Woodland have three living children: Jaxson Lynn (born June 2017, now 6 years old), and twin daughters Maddox Jean and Lennox Lee (born August 2019, now 4 years old). The couple tragically lost one of their expected twins in 2017 due to complications, but Jaxson survived despite being born ten weeks early at just 3 pounds.
5. When did Gary Woodland win the U.S. Open?
Woodland won the 2019 U.S. Open Championship on June 16, 2019, at Pebble Beach Golf Links in California. Playing the final round with a one-stroke lead over Justin Rose, he shot 69 to finish at 13-under par (271), the lowest score ever recorded at Pebble Beach in a U.S. Open. He defeated Brooks Koepka by three strokes, earning $2.25 million and establishing himself as a major champion.
6. What is Gary Woodland’s current playing status and ranking?
As of February 2026, Woodland is 41 years old and remains active on the PGA Tour with conditional status based on his earnings. He is ranked approximately 131st in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and continues to earn PGA Tour status through tournament earnings. His 2026 season began with entries at Sony Open (missed cut), The American Express (72nd place, $18,492), and Farmers Insurance Open (missed cut).
7. What equipment does Gary Woodland use?
Woodland plays Cobra Golf clubs (drivers, fairway woods, irons) acquired through his 2023 multi-year equipment deal. He wears Puma Golf apparel head-to-toe and uses Titleist golf balls. For accessories, he wears a Breitling Superocean Heritage watch and is sponsored by multiple lifestyle brands. His equipment bag changes occasionally as sponsorship deals are updated.
8. How much has Gary Woodland earned in his professional career?
Woodland’s career earnings total approximately $41.4 million, including $36.4 million in official PGA Tour prize money, nearly $4.87 million from major championship appearances, and approximately $0.1+ million from other professional competitions. His earnings accelerated significantly after winning the 2019 U.S. Open, which generated increased sponsorship opportunities and guaranteed entry into premium tournaments.
9. Where does Gary Woodland currently live?
Woodland resides in Delray Beach, Florida, with his wife Gabby and their three children. This location places him on Florida’s prestigious golf coast, convenient to PGA Tour headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach and major winter tournament venues. He maintains his roots to Topeka, Kansas, where he was born and attended high school at Shawnee Heights High School.
10. What are Gary Woodland’s best major championship performances?
Woodland’s best major championship finish is his 2019 U.S. Open victory at Pebble Beach. His second-best performances include a T6 finish at the 2018 PGA Championship, where he led after 36 holes with a record-setting 10-under total; a T10 finish at the 2022 U.S. Open; T14 at the 2023 Masters (where he shot a career-low 68 in the first round); T23 at the 2011 U.S. Open; T24 at the 2011 Masters; and a T12 at Royal Troon in the 2016 Open Championship. His record demonstrates competitiveness across all four majors, though his U.S. Open victory remains his only major title.