Gary Woodland carries a one-shot advantage over Nicolai Hojgaard into the final round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open after a steady five-under 65 lifted him to 18 under par. The American is hunting his first win since the 2019 US Open and has become a sympathetic figure on tour while recovering from brain surgery in September 2023.
Woodland has been open about the mental health struggles that followed his surgery, saying the procedure removed part of a lesion that had triggered overwhelming fear and anxiety. He described how he sometimes broke down mid-round or hid in bathrooms, and said telling his story made him feel ‘1,000 pounds lighter.’ Back on the course he looks revitalised: a switch in iron shafts has helped him regain control as his speed returns, and he was especially sharp late in the round — hitting a two-iron over water to reach the par-five 16th in two for a birdie and nearly driving the green at the short 17th to set up another birdie.
Hojgaard matched Woodland’s charge with a 63 on Saturday, following a 62 on Friday. The 25-year-old Dane has produced 15 birdies and an eagle across those two rounds and remains firmly in contention as he seeks his first PGA Tour victory. Currently world No. 47, he is in a position that would all but guarantee a Masters invitation barring an unlikely set of results.
Defending champion Min Woo Lee (67) and Michael Thorbjornsen (66) are five shots back. For Thorbjornsen, ranked No. 56, Sunday carries major implications: a top-eight finish could earn him his first Masters invitation. Woodland would need to win to return to Augusta, though that goal is weighed against the personal journey he has navigated this season.
At Memorial Park, Hojgaard leads the field in approach play and ranks second in putting after a slight putter tweak. A 2023 Ryder Cup rookie with three DP World Tour wins, he expects a close finish and says he will ‘stay in the fight’ as the final round unfolds.
Watch the final round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open live on Sky Sports Golf from 1.15pm on Sunday, with additional coverage on Sky Sports Main Event from 8.15pm.