Gary Woodland certainly has had an emotional year. Woodland got back in the winner’s circle when he captured the 2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open, marking one of the best stories of the PGA Tour season. Woodland revealed not even three weeks prior to the win that he had dealt with PTSD since undergoing brain surgery in September 2023
Speaking after his victory, Woodland gave an impassioned speech while fighting through the tears.
Gary Woodland of the United States reacts after making birdie on the third green during the first round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open 2026 at Memorial Park Golf Course on March 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
“I’ll tell you what, we play an individual sport out here, but I wasn’t alone today,” Woodland said. “I got a lot of people behind me, my team, my family and this golf world. Anybody that’s struggling with something, I hope they see me and don’t give up, just keep fighting.”
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Now, Woodland will be a part of a team, as he was named as the fourth and final captain’s assistant for Brandt Snedeker’s U.S. Team at the 2026 Presidents Cup. The appointment marks Woodland’s first time serving as a captain’s assistant in the PGA Tour’s biennial team competition, where he will join fellow assistants Jim Furyk, Keegan Bradley and Webb Simpson.
“Gary has earned tremendous respect from his peers through the way he competes, leads and represents the game,” Snedeker said in a release. “Having worked alongside him at the 2025 Ryder Cup, I saw firsthand the perspective, passion and team-first mentality he brings to the locker room, and I know those qualities will make him a valuable addition to our leadership group. Gary’s experience as a major champion, a five-time PGA TOUR winner and a member of the 2019 Presidents Cup team gives him a unique understanding of what it takes to succeed in this competition.”
Woodland was a captain’s pick for the 2019 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne, finishing with a 1-2-1 record, as the United States won the event. He also served as a vice captain for Team USA at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black alongside Snedeker.
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“I was honored to get the call from Brandt to be a captain’s assistant for the 2026 Presidents Cup,” Woodland said. “Presidents Cup is a special event in our game, and having experienced it as a player in 2019, I know how much pride comes with representing your country and competing alongside the best players in the world. Brandt is a great leader and friend, and I’m excited to work with him, Jim, Keegan and Webb as we prepare for Chicago.”
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 15: Justin Thomas of the United States team, Gary Woodland of the United States team, Tony Finau of the United States team, Xander Schauffele of the United States team and Webb Simpson of the United States team celebrate winning the Presidents Cup during Sunday Singles matches on day four of the 2019 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Course on December 15, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
The 42-year-old Woodland has five PGA Tour victories under his belt, the most significant coming at the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. He has posted five top-10 finishes this season.
On Monday, the Tour announced that Scottie Scheffler, fresh off his 21st win at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, clinched the No. 1 spot on the U.S. roster for the 2026 Presidents Cup. Cameron Young has secured the No. 2 position, meaning there are now 10 spots up for grabs in the biennial competition between the U.S. and a team of International golfers. This week’s BMW Championship will be the final chance for PGA Tour golfers to snag one of the four remaining automatic spots. The next four in the updated Presidents Cup standings are Sam Burns, Russell Henley, Ben Griffin and Collin Morikawa.
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After that, U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker will have six captain’s selections to make. The 2026 Presidents Cup will be Sept. 22-27 in Chicago at Medinah Country Club’s Course No. 3. The U.S. leads the series 13-1-1.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Gary Woodland named to U.S. Presidents Cup staff, adding to emotional season
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