Gary Woodland conquers the Houston Open, a triumphant return fueled by resilience and a hard-won battle against personal demons.
Former Kansas Jayhawk Gary Woodland Wins Houston Open, Caps Emotional Comeback
Former Jayhawks Gary Woodland is back in the winner’s circle, and this one meant more than most.
The Topeka native and Kansas alum captured the Texas Children's Houston Open on Sunday at 21-under 259, completing an emotional return to the top of the leaderboard just weeks after opening up about his battle with PTSD following brain surgery.
Woodland underwent surgery in 2023 to remove a tumor that was pressing on the part of his brain controlling fear and anxiety. For much of his comeback, the former U.S. Open champion carried that weight privately. Recently, he decided to share his story. The response was a Houston Open win.
“We play an individual sport, but today I wasn’t alone,” Woodland said after the win. “Anybody who’s struggling with something, I hope they see me and don’t give up. Just keep fighting.”
Now in his third full season back, Woodland looked like himself again down the stretch, closing out one of the most meaningful victories of his career.
The win also secures his spot in the Masters Tournament, marking his 12th appearance and first trip back to Augusta since 2023.
For Woodland, Sunday wasn’t just about golf. It was about perseverance and proving that even after everything, he’s still capable of finishing on top.
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Dylan Edwards Finding Joy, Confidence In Fresh Start With Kansas Football
For Dylan Edwards, the transfer portal reset wasn’t just about football. It was about feeling like himself again. After stops at Colorado and Kansas State, plus a 2025 season cut short by injury, Edwards entered the transfer portal looking for something simple: peace of mind. Now at Kansas, he says he’s found it.
“I’m having fun,” Edwards said Thursday. “That’s something I told my family — I don’t care about nothing else but having fun. I know I’ll do good if I have fun with it.”
That mindset has defined his early days in Lawrence. A former Derby standout and Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year, Edwards’ path back home wasn’t straightforward. Kansas recruited him out of high school and again in the portal before, but it wasn’t until this winter that things finally lined up.
After battling an ankle injury that lingered deep into last season, Edwards didn’t even have his boot removed until shortly after committing to KU. Now healthy, he’s starting to look like himself again.
“The first month, he was very limited,” head coach Lance Leipold said. “But once he’s been given the full go, it’s been exciting to watch him.”
That explosiveness has already shown up in spring practices, where Edwards has turned heads with his speed and versatility. And it’s not just what he’s doing, it’s how he’s being used in the offense.
Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki has given Edwards freedom within the system, moving him around and avoiding putting him into a strict role.
“He told me if I came here, he was going to do everything in his power to make the offense fire,” Edwards said. “He mixes it up, gets everybody involved. That’s fire. I like that.”
The comfort level goes beyond the scheme. Edwards said long-standing relationships, especially with running backs coach Jonathan Wallace, helped make the transition seamless.
“I’ve been knowing Coach Wallace since my freshman year,” Edwards said. “They welcomed me with open arms.”
That’s extended to the locker room, too. Edwards said any concerns about fitting in disappeared once the team hit the field together. Now, the focus is simple: stay healthy and keep building confidence.
If that continues, Kansas may be getting the version of Dylan Edwards that many people believe in.
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