Gary Woodland signed for a bogey-free 8-under 64 to begin the Sanderson Farms Championship on a excessive be aware.
It has been somewhat over a yr since Woodland had mind surgical procedure final September to take away a benign lesion. He returned to the PGA Tour in early January 2024 at the Sony Open, however it has taken some time for him to place all of it collectively.
Woodland has 22 begins within the yr, with only one Prime 25 end. He solely made 12 cuts on the season as nicely. Woodland missed the minimize within the first FedEx Cup Fall occasion, the Procore Championship. Regardless of the difficult yr, the 40-year-old finds the positives. Coming from what occurred final yr to the place he’s now places issues into perspective for him.
“I’ve been out right here a very long time. There’s lots of ups and downs,” Woodland mentioned. “If you’re coming from the place I’ve been, and also you’re beginning to see indicators, it’s been somewhat simpler to remain optimistic.”
“It’s been good to shoot some low rounds at house. Slightly irritating out right here, however it was good at this time simply to place all of it collectively. I’ve had days the place I’ve hit it nicely or I’ve putted it nicely, I simply haven’t finished it collectively, and it was good to see that at this time.”
Nonetheless, it looks as if the breakthrough lastly occurred for him in Mississippi.
The 2019 U.S. Open champion took time to work on his sport with Randy Smith in Dallas. Smith helped Woodland break down issues to get again to the fundamentals.
“All the pieces is simply coming collectively. I’ve seen stuff at house,” he defined. “ I simply haven’t seen it out right here in a very long time, so it was good. I knew it was coming. It’s onerous to remain affected person out right here generally, however fortuitously, I’ve finished that, and it is good to see all of it payoff.”
Woodland sits 4 photographs off the chief David Skinns, who shot a 12-under 60 to begin the match. He has put himself into rivalry and can look to maintain the momentum going. Woodland, Zach Johnson and Okay.H. Lee tee off at 8:38 a.m. ET for Spherical 2.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. For extra golf protection, comply with us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You can too comply with her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.
