Gary Woodland, who hasn’t won since the 2019 U.S. Open, is in a strong position heading into the weekend at the 2026 Houston Open. The 41-year-old golfer shot a remarkable 7-under 63 on Friday at Memorial Park Golf Course, giving him a three-shot lead with a total score of 13 under.
This comeback is especially impressive considering Woodland’s recent struggles, which included undergoing brain surgery in 2023 to remove a tumor and facing challenges with post-traumatic stress disorder. Recently, he has spoken out about these difficulties, which seems to have lifted a significant burden, allowing him to showcase some of his best golf in years.
Woodland followed up his recent T14 finish at the Valspar Championship with another outstanding performance in Houston, posting rounds of 64 and 63. Last year, he tied for second place with Scottie Scheffler at this event, making it his most significant finish on the PGA Tour since 2019. He aims to go one better this weekend and secure his fifth career victory on the Tour.
Two key areas of his game are functioning exceptionally well: Woodland leads in strokes gained on approach and putting, a combination that typically results in numerous birdies. He finished his round by sinking birdies on the last three holes, putting him in a strong position as the afternoon competitors began their rounds.
As of Friday, no one has come closer than Nicolai Højgaard and Jackson Suber, both of whom shot 62 to place themselves at 10 under and remain within reach of Woodland. Regardless of the outcome, Woodland’s return to form has been a highlight in the PGA Tour, captivating fans and fellow players alike.
Leader
1. Gary Woodland (-13): For the first time in a while, Woodland will experience the nerves of leading a tournament into the weekend. His T2 finish last year was aided by a strong 62 on Sunday, setting the stage for others to chase. How he holds up this time will be crucial, but with recent performances and vocal support from fans, he is well-positioned to contend.
Contenders
T2. Nicolai Højgaard, Jackson Suber (-10)
T4. Min Woo Lee, Jason Day (-9)
6. Michael Thorbjornsen, Sam Stevens (-8)
T8. Adam Scott, Karl Vilips, Zecheng Dou (-7)
T11. Jake Knapp, Sahith Theegala, and others (-6)
Højgaard has had a solid season thus far, making the cut in all seven starts and achieving two top 10 finishes. His 62 on Friday matched the course record, while Suber, a promising newcomer, matched him later with his own 62, seeking his first win. Min Woo Lee, the defending champion, also climbed the leaderboard with a 63, joining veterans Jason Day and Adam Scott in the pursuit of victory.
Missed Cuts
- Marco Penge (-1)
- Rickie Fowler (E)
- Nico Echavarria (+1)
- Ryan Gerard (+1)
- Ryan Fox (+1)
- Wyndham Clark (+2)
- Brooks Koepka (+4)
Penge was a popular pick before the tournament but missed the cut by one stroke. Fowler had a rough second round, which ended his tournament early. Others like Echavarria and Gerard also didn’t make it to the weekend despite being in good standing in the FedEx Cup standings.
Updated Odds and Expectations
Odds via FanDuel
- Gary Woodland (2-1)
- Min Woo Lee (24/5)
- Nicolai Højgaard (24/5)
- Jason Day (12-1)
- Michael Thorbjornsen (12-1)
- Sam Stevens (18-1)
- Jackson Suber (25-1)
With great stories unfolding on the leaderboard, Woodland’s narrative is particularly compelling. Despite being the pre-tournament favorite, Lee still presents value. Thorbjornsen is also a solid pick to watch, as he consistently positions himself well to contend for his first victory.
