MAJOR champion Gary Woodland feared people were trying to kill him during a recent tournament and will have personal security at this week’s Masters.
His safety fears stem from anxiety and stress he suffers from since on a brain tumour in 2023.
Gary Woodland emotionally revealed his struggles following surgeryCredit: BBC Sport
He recently won the Houston OpenCredit: Getty
In an interview with the Golf Channel last month, he opened up on the , including being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The symptoms are worse in big crowds which has led him to hire security who will follow him around at Augusta.
He explained: “The whole deal for me is it’s visual. If I can see somebody, then I can remind myself that I’m safe constantly.
“So I have a good idea now where security is on every hole. The big deal for me, my caddie knows too, so he can constantly remind me.”
Recently, – his first victory since winning the US Open in 2019.
However the star revealed the battle he was having on the course before winning his latest tournament.
He told the BBC: “I had a big battle Friday at Houston, I got hyper-vigilant, extremely on the ninth hole.
“And I battled the last ten holes thinking people were trying to kill me.”
Woodland had security at this year’s Houston Open.
He added: “Knowing that I’m safe, having somebody there with me – that’s the only reason why I won two weeks ago.”
The 2019 US Open Champion discussed the problems he was having on the course at last year’s Procore Championship in California.
He said: “A walking scorer startled me, got close to me from behind.”
He said following the incident he suddenly could not remember what he was doing and his eyesight became blurry.
He has consulted military veterans about his PTSD and various coping mechanisms to get through each round and each day.
With The Masters set to attract huge crowds, Woodland will take a cautious approach.
Woodland added to the BBC: “I don’t have control when this thing hits me, and it’s tough.
“It can be a fan. It can be a walking scorer. It can be a camera guy running by me, just any startlement from behind me can trigger this pretty quickly.
“Knowing where the security is, is a constant reminder that I’m safe.”
He is set to play the first two rounds alongside world number one and Scotsman .
He had to battle his mental health problems during his recent Houston Open victoryCredit: Getty
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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