Gary Woodland signed for a bogey-free 8-under 64 to start out the Sanderson Farms Championship on a excessive word.
It has been a bit 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, but it surely has taken some time for him to place all of it collectively.
Woodland has 22 begins within the yr, with only one High 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 plenty of ups and downs,” Woodland stated. “Whenever you’re coming from the place I’ve been, and also you’re beginning to see indicators, it’s been a bit simpler to remain constructive.”
“It’s been good to shoot some low rounds at house. A bit of irritating out right here, but it surely was good in the present day 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 completed it collectively, and it was good to see that in the present day.”
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.
“Every little thing 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 exhausting to remain affected person out right here generally, however luckily, I’ve completed that, and it is good to see all of it payoff.”
Woodland sits 4 pictures off the chief David Skinns, who shot a 12-under 60 to start out the match. He has put himself into competition and can look to maintain the momentum going. Woodland, Zach Johnson and Ok.H. Lee tee off at 8:38 a.m. ET for Spherical 2.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By way of. For extra golf protection, comply with us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You may also comply with her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.
