Former US Open champion Gary Woodland has revealed he battles post-traumatic stress disorder daily following surgery to remove a brain tumour in 2023.
The 40-year-old American underwent a serious medical procedure last year to address a lesion found on his brain.
While the operation was deemed a physical success, the mental toll has presented an entirely new and formidable challenge.
A difficult diagnosis
The major winner was only officially diagnosed with the mental health condition approximately one year ago.
“I am battling every day,” Woodland stated when discussing his ongoing recovery journey.
He explained that navigating the emotional aftermath of such a severe health scare has been deeply exhausting.
Return to competitive action
Woodland famously secured his first and only major championship title at Pebble Beach in 2019.
Despite his ongoing health battles, the resilient golfer made an emotional return to the PGA Tour earlier this season.
His decision to speak openly about his psychological struggles brings important awareness to the unseen impacts of major medical trauma.
Jon Rahm remains highly confident he will successfully negotiate a deal with the DP World Tour to ensure his eligibility for Europe’s upcoming Ryder Cup campaigns.
The two-time major champion’s participation in the prestigious biennial tournament has been under intense scrutiny since his lucrative move to the LIV Golf circuit.
Under current regulations, European competitors must maintain active DP World Tour membership to represent their continent against the United States.
However, competing in conflicting LIV events without official tournament releases has triggered significant fines and potential suspensions for the former world number one.
Navigating the eligibility hurdle
Despite the ongoing friction between the rival tours, the Spaniard is adamant that a compromise will soon be reached.
“We’re going to work it out!”
The 29-year-old recently appealed his accumulated sanctions, a tactical legal manoeuvre that temporarily allowed him to compete in the Spanish Open.
This critical move enabled him to fulfill his minimum tournament quota for the season and temporarily retain his crucial tour card.
Importance to Team Europe
Rahm was an indispensable cornerstone of Luke Donald’s victorious side in Rome last year, delivering an undefeated return of three points.
Losing the former Masters winner would represent a catastrophic blow for the European squad ahead of a hostile title defence at Bethpage Black in 2025.
While peace talks between golf’s traditional powerbrokers and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund continue behind closed doors, elite players currently remain trapped in administrative limbo.
World number one Scottie Scheffler headlines a highly unpredictable field at the 2026 Masters following injury setbacks for defending champion Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa.
The 90th edition of the prestigious tournament at Augusta National is widely considered the most open contest in recent memory.
Injuries to top contenders and a month-long layoff for the American world number one have significantly levelled the playing field.
The prolific American recently welcomed a baby boy and has not played competitively in four weeks.
Challengers sense an opportunity
Meanwhile, Northern Irishman McIlroy and American Morikawa are both recovering from untimely back problems.
The defending champion claimed a dramatic victory here last year but has struggled to find his best form this season.
His injury concerns open the door for a wider group of hopefuls to claim the coveted green jacket.
Former champion Patrick Reed believes the immense depth of elite golf makes this year’s event exceptionally competitive.
“I definitely feel like this year you have 10 to 12 guys who have a really legitimate opportunity to win the green jacket.”
Returning stars target green jacket
The 2018 winner recently left the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league to return to the PGA Tour.
He boasts five top-10 finishes at this historic venue since his maiden major victory.
“It just makes this event a little bit more special and even more fun going out there and playing against the best.”
Fellow LIV competitors Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau remain potent threats despite the Spaniard’s recent major championship struggles.
Grand Slam ambitions and history
Xander Schauffele arrives in superb form and could secure the third leg of the career Grand Slam with a victory.
Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka also possesses the elite pedigree required to conquer the famous Georgia layout.
Historical trends suggest top-ranked players dominate this tournament, with every winner since 2019 ranked inside the world’s top 15.
However, with established favourites battling fitness and form, an unexpected victor could easily emerge from the chasing pack this week.
Former cycling world champion Rohan Dennis has publicly condemned the media for creating a false narrative following his suspended prison sentence over the death of his wife, Melissa Hoskins.
Ms Hoskins, a celebrated Olympic track cyclist, died in 2023 after being struck by a vehicle driven by her husband in an Adelaide suburb.
A court previously heard she had held onto the car as he attempted to drive away following an argument.
The 35-year-old admitted to an aggravated count of creating the likelihood of harm and received a suspended sentence of just over 16 months.
‘False narrative’ and media criticism
In a recent statement posted to social media, the two-time time trial world champion strongly denied any intention to cause physical harm.
“The narrative which the media ran with was clear,” wrote the Australian rider.
“They wanted me to look like the husband who abused his wife.”
Demands for family privacy
The former Olympian also accused journalists of harassing his family, expressing particular concern over the ongoing treatment of his children.
“The media speak about the children and how saddened they are for the children, yet they happily stalk, follow and harass not just adults in my family but even when the kids are involved,” he stated.
“They know I never intentionally or unintentionally used a vehicle as a weapon… Time for all you so-called journalists and media outlets to back off and leave my family alone.”
Decorated careers on the track
Prior to stepping away from the sport, the former professional was considered one of the foremost time trial specialists of his generation.
His late wife was equally decorated, securing a team pursuit gold medal at the 2015 World Championships.
She also proudly represented Australia at both the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Ireland will open their 2026 Women’s Six Nations campaign against England on 11 April, driven by a determination to banish the memory of their recent World Cup quarter-final exit.
Six months have passed since a heartbreaking 18-13 defeat by France in Exeter ended their global ambitions.
Head coach Scott Bemand now wants his squad to use that lingering disappointment as fuel to reach new heights in the upcoming championship.
The girls in green have secured back-to-back third-place finishes under their current boss.
However, closing the substantial gap to tournament heavyweights England and France remains the ultimate objective.
New leadership and fresh faces
To facilitate this upward trajectory, the management team has introduced nine uncapped players into a revitalised 36-player panel.
Former captain Amee-Leigh Costigan and co-captain Edel McMahon have both been omitted from the latest squad.
The captain’s armband has consequently been handed to returning back-row forward Erin King.
The 22-year-old recently recovered from a serious knee injury that cruelly forced her to miss the summer tournament.
Bemand, who recently extended his contract until 2029, believes the new skipper embodies the resilient future of Irish rugby.
Closing the gap on European heavyweights
Securing an elusive victory over the French side is a primary target following several agonisingly close encounters.
That challenge will be formidable given that both crucial fixtures against France and the dominant Red Roses are away from home.
England are current world champions and have remarkably won seven consecutive Six Nations titles without losing a single match since 2018.
“We’ve always said we don’t want to be afraid to talk about winning; winning games and competitions.”
The head coach acknowledged the progress made during the World Cup but stressed the need for continuous improvement.
“We pushed France close, but we have to be another school better.”
King shares this ambitious mindset, insisting that being highly competitive against the top two nations is a completely realistic goal.
The newly appointed captain noted that her side led the French 13-0 at half-time during their summer meeting.
She also recalled trailing the English by just two points at the break in Cork last year before fading in the second half.
Patrick Reed has revealed his desire to experience traditional tournament golf and spend more time with his family were the primary reasons behind his sudden departure from the LIV Golf Tour in January.
The 2018 Masters champion originally resigned from the PGA Tour in June 2022 to join the Saudi-backed breakaway league.
However, the 35-year-old made a surprising turnaround earlier this year when he announced his intention to regain his American main tour card.
Chasing the traditional thrill
Speaking ahead of the first major of the season at Augusta National, the American admitted the decision to leave the 54-hole circuit was made very quickly.
He explained that competing on the DP World Tour in Dubai reminded him of the adrenaline associated with standard tournament formats.
I really just kind of was sitting back and realizing that I wanted to get back and not only join – have an opportunity back on the PGA Tour, but get back to the traditional way of golf and playing.
The former Ryder Cup star highlighted the thrill of battling rivals on a standard, staggered leaderboard rather than LIV’s controversial shotgun start format.
For me, I wanted that back, I wanted that adrenaline back, and those feelings, especially with the way I played those last three weeks.
Family priorities and future eligibility
A grueling international schedule with the breakaway circuit also heavily impacted his home life.
The Texan noted that he urgently wanted to watch his 11-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son grow up.
To be honest with you, it was one of those decisions that I felt like was the best, not just for the golf game, but also for my family to spend more time with them.
Since stepping away from the LIV Tour, he has become a renewed force in Europe.
Masters contender in formidable form
The former rebel has secured two victories and three runner-up finishes on the DP World Tour since the start of the year.
Those impressive results have guaranteed him one of the 10 PGA Tour cards handed out to top finishers in the Race to Dubai standings.
Because of his past champion status, he is eligible to return for invitational events from late August and on a full-time basis in 2027.
That blistering recent form makes the former Augusta winner a genuine contender to secure a second Green Jacket this week.
Caroline Dubois has captured the unified WBC and WBO lightweight titles after knocking down Terri Harper in their highly anticipated all-British championship clash.
The unbeaten 23-year-old produced a commanding performance to overcome her highly experienced compatriot.
A pivotal knockdown proved decisive as the younger fighter imposed her relentless power and precision on the contest.
Dubois signals new era at lightweight
Victory secures both the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization belts, firmly establishing the Londoner at the summit of the 135lb weight class.
Her triumph marks a significant milestone in a rapidly ascending professional career that follows a stellar amateur background.
The newly crowned unified champion dictated the pace for long periods, showcasing the calculated aggression that has become her trademark.
Harper shows resilience in defeat
Despite touching the canvas, the former super-featherweight world champion demonstrated immense bravery to survive the heavy onslaught.
The Yorkshire fighter relied on her vast championship experience to navigate the later rounds against a ferocious opponent.
However, the 27-year-old ultimately fell short against the sheer momentum and accuracy of the sport’s rising star.
This definitive domestic showdown clarifies the world title picture in a marquee division transitioning into an exciting new era.
Golfers at the 90th Masters have expressed their support for Tiger Woods as the 15-time major champion reportedly enters a rehabilitation facility following his recent DUI arrest in Florida.
The 50-year-old is absent from Augusta National this week after pleading not guilty to charges of misdemeanor driving under the influence with property damage.
Authorities confirmed the golf legend was in possession of hydrocodone when his vehicle clipped a trailer in Hobe Sound on March 27.
Day criticises driving decision but offers sympathy
Australian player Jason Day revealed his mixed emotions regarding his childhood hero’s current legal and personal situation.
“The only thing that I don’t understand is that it’s a little bit selfish of him to drive and put other people in harm’s way.”
However, the former world number one quickly noted the human element of addiction and the immense physical toll the American has endured throughout his career.
“He’s not immune to it just because he can hit a golf ball really well.”
Physical toll leads to European treatment
The five-time tournament winner recently told a sheriff’s deputy that he suffers from an ankle that seizes up while walking.
This physical decline follows a grueling medical history that includes seven back operations and more than twenty surgeries on his right leg.
A judge granted a legal motion last week allowing the injured star to travel outside the United States for comprehensive inpatient care.
His private jet has since landed in Switzerland, fuelling widespread speculation that he has checked into a specialised European treatment centre.
Living under the microscope
Day acknowledged the immense public pressure that comes with being arguably the most famous golfer in sporting history.
“It must be hard to be who he is and have everyone look kind of down on him.”
The 36-year-old concluded by expressing hope that his long-time idol will successfully complete his recovery programme and find peace away from the course.