ATLANTA — Seven years after his last appearance at the Tour Championship, golfer Gary Woodland made a remarkable return to the season-ending event at East Lake Golf Club this week, overcoming significant personal and physical challenges. Woodland, 42, who won the U.S. Open in 2019, secured his place at the tournament with a strong season that included a victory at the Texas Children’s Houston Open in March and six top-10 finishes.

Woodland’s journey back to the Tour Championship was anything but straightforward. In September 2023, he underwent surgery to remove a baseball-sized tumor from his brain, a procedure that brought his career and life into a new, uncertain phase. Prior to the operation, Woodland wrote letters to his three children in the event he did not survive, underscoring the gravity of his situation.

In addition to his physical recovery, Woodland has been candid about his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a struggle he only publicly disclosed earlier this year. While the brain surgery elicited support from many within the golf community, revealing his PTSD resonated on a broader level, drawing thousands of messages from individuals facing similar invisible battles. Woodland said that speaking openly about his mental health has encouraged others to seek help and has created a sense of shared understanding.

Despite the lingering challenges, including difficult “down” days, Woodland expressed pride in his progress and resilience. “I’m proud of the way I fought. I’m proud to be here,” he said. He acknowledged that his performance levels fluctuate sharply but emphasized the comfort he finds in being authentic about his struggles and receiving support.

Woodland’s peers recognize the significance of his comeback. Tommy Fleetwood, the defending FedExCup champion and fellow competitor, described Woodland’s season as an inspirational story with far-reaching impact that transcends golf.

The format of the Tour Championship has changed since Woodland’s last appearance. The event now crowns the player with the lowest 72-hole score among the 30 qualifiers, moving away from the previous staggered-start system that gave scoring advantages based on FedExCup standings. Woodland remains confident, noting the challenge of competing against top players like Scottie Scheffler, the current FedExCup leader, but affirming his intent to compete to win rather than simply participate.

Woodland’s commitment extends beyond personal accomplishment. He recently spent time at the FedEx St. Jude Championship with an 11-year-old from New Zealand who is living with an inoperable brain tumor, walking each hole of the tournament together. “I owe it to him,” Woodland said, reflecting on how his fight now represents a larger cause beyond himself.

Acknowledging the ongoing difficulty of his journey, Woodland stated, “There’s a lot of days where I don’t want to do it. There’s a lot of days I don’t want to fight.” Nevertheless, he continues to push forward, motivated by his enduring dream of professional athletics, his family’s support, and a determination not to let circumstances beyond his control define the outcome of his story.

After years away, Woodland has navigated a difficult path back to professional golf’s elite stage, arriving at East Lake not just with a sense of accomplishment but with renewed purpose.