By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka sports legend Gary Woodland made the stunning announcement Wednesday morning that he will undergo surgery on Sept. 18 for the removal of a lesion on his brain.
Topeka sports legend Gary Woodland, a Shawnee Heights graduate and 2019 U.S. Open champ, confirmed Wednesday that he will have surgery on Sept. 18 to remove a lesion on his brain. [PGA Tour]
Woodland, the former Shawnee Heights basketball and golf star and 2019 U.S. Open champion, shared the following post on all of his social media platforms:
“I wanted to share a recent health development with you. 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.”
Topekan Gary Woodland hoists his 2019 U.S. Open trophy at Pebble Beach. [PGA Tour]
The 39-year-old Woodland is a four-time winner on the PGA Tour and won the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. He was also a member of the winning 2019 U.S. Presidents Cup.
Woodland helped lead Shawnee Heights to Class 5A state basketball championships in 2000 and 2002 and he was a three-time city champion in golf.
He went on to play basketball as a freshman at Washburn University before transferring to Kansas to concentrate on his golf career.
Woodland's parents, Topekans Dan and Linda Woodland, told TopSports.news Wednesday morning that Gary received his health diagnosis in late May and that he and his doctors have and continue to do everything possible to ensure a positive outcome.
"We would appreciate everyone's prayers,'' Linda Woodland told TSN.
Woodland went on to complete the 2022-2023 PGA Tour season after his May diagnosis, finishing 94th in the FedEx Cup rankings. He recorded two top-10 finishes and six top-25s. He made 18 of 24 cuts.
Woodland was inducted into the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.
