Gary Woodland Holds Houston Lead, Chasing First Win Since The 2019 U.S. Open

Gary Woodland took control at Memorial Park with a 5-under 65 and moved one shot clear of Nicolai Højgaard after the third round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. The former U.S. Open champion is now 18-under 192 and within reach of his first PGA TOUR victory since his 2019 major win at Pebble Beach.

Woodland closed with two late birdies to protect the lead and keep the field at arm’s length. Højgaard fired a 63 and stayed within striking distance, while no other player was closer than five shots heading into the final round.

Woodland’s Late Push Keeps Him Ahead

The final stretch mattered most for Woodland, and he handled it with control under pressure. He birdied the par-5 16th after a 2-iron over water reached the green in two, then added another birdie at the reachable par-4 17th after a strong bunker recovery.

That finish matched the rising tension from Højgaard, who answered with birdies of his own on 16 and 17. Both players stayed clean over the closing hour, which helped them separate from the rest of the leaderboard.

A Chance to End a Long Wait

The lead brings Woodland into position for a breakthrough at a time when his comeback has drawn wide attention across golf. He returned to the PGA TOUR at the start of the season after brain surgery in September 2023, and he recently spoke publicly about his PTSD struggles during an emotional interview at THE PLAYERS Championship.

Woodland said he had to keep himself calm before the final round. In his words, he needed to “take a deep breath,” rest well, and avoid getting ahead of himself, because he had put himself in the position to win for a reason.

Why This Week Matters

Woodland’s game has shown clear signs of form in Houston, and the numbers support it. He leads the field in approach shots and ranks second in putting, aided by a slightly new putter that has improved alignment.

A change in iron shafts also helped him regain control as his speed returned. That combination has allowed him to swing freely again, and his ball-striking has looked close to the level that once carried him to a major title.

What the Final Round Looks Like

Højgaard remains the main threat after back-to-back rounds in the low 60s. The 25-year-old Dane has three wins on the DP World Tour, including the season-ending championship, but he is still chasing his first PGA TOUR victory.

1. Gary Woodland — 18-under, one-shot lead
2. Nicolai Højgaard — one shot back
3. Min Woo Lee — five shots back
4. Michael Thorbjornsen — five shots back

Min Woo Lee, the defending champion, and Michael Thorbjornsen sit five back and need a fast start to force the issue. Thorbjornsen also has added pressure because a strong finish could help him into the Masters field if he moves high enough in the world rankings.

Woodland still needs a win to work his way back to Augusta, but the larger story is his return to competitive form after a difficult stretch away from the game. He has already shown resilience off the course, and Sunday in Houston now offers a new test of whether that form can turn into a long-awaited victory.