Gary Woodland gave everything he had at the Wyndham Championship. After two strong opening rounds, he was squarely in the fight to qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs, hovering near the critical No. 70 spot in the standings.
But after a tough Saturday night, a long Sunday, and back-to-back 70s to close out the tournament, Woodland came up just short — finishing 72nd in the final FedEx Cup rankings.
For a man who underwent brain surgery in 2023, just getting to this point was a remarkable achievement.
“It stinks not to move on,” Woodland said after the round. “But I’m excited for some rest. I need it.”
More Than a Scorecard For Gary Woodland
Woodland’s battle this year hasn’t just been on the scorecard. It’s been deeply personal, as he’s continued recovering physically and emotionally from brain tumor surgery. At the same time, his game showed flashes.
He had three top-25 finishes to start 2025 and solid rounds of 67 and 64 to open at Sedgefield. But the toll of recovery showed, especially over the weekend.
“I ran out of gas. I did,” Woodland admitted. “Had a rough night last night, rough morning this morning… I was just trying to hit the shots.”
Through it all, he gave credit to his caddie, calling his help “unbelievable” and saying he “carried me today.”
Perspective Beyond the Playoffs
Despite falling short of postseason play, Woodland isn’t walking away empty-handed. He’ll now shift focus to his role as assistant captain for Team USA at the Ryder Cup this September at Bethpage Black, supporting captain Keegan Bradley.
Woodland is already watching potential captain’s picks closely — including Wyndham champion Cameron Young, who finally broke through with a dominant six-shot victory.
“Cam’s got a lot of talent… I’m happy for him,” Woodland said. “I think it’s just the start for him.”
Still Fighting, Still Growing
Woodland’s closing message was clear: the year may not have ended in a playoff berth, but it still brought progress, perspective, and hope.
“It was a good year in a lot of ways, but I have a long way to go in a lot of ways,” he said. “The best parts of my game are in a really good spot and I’m happy with that.”
For now, it’s time for Woodland to rest, reset, and prepare for his next chapter — not just as a Ryder Cup assistant, but as a player still climbing his way back toward the top.
