Tiger Woods had to undergo his sixth lower back surgery in the past ten years. The 2024 was surely a painful one for him with lower back spasms that forced him to use pain patches during almost all his appearances. His recent surgery was to get relief from the daunting pains that he was going through. The 48-year-old announced hosting a charity event, TW Invitational at Pebble Beach which led to people believing that they might see the golfer there.

via Imago

However, he could not attend as he is still in recovery. Even TWLEGION’s official X account posted, “Doesn’t look like Tiger is in attendance for his charity event at Pebble Beach.” But thanks to Max Homa and Gary Woodland’s support, they will be running the clinic for guests at the event. Looks like the latter has a confession to make while at service.

The Pebble Beach is a rather nostalgic venue for Gary Woodland. He won the 2019 US Open there, and during the TGR service, he shared the winning advice that he got from his caddie, Brennan Litle who he affectionately calls Butchy. He was leading the championship by one stroke, and they were on the fourteenth hole. “I was playing with Justin Rose, who I know well and Justin just lays up on the par five,” said Woodland. He sat there having 265 before he began with the fourteenth hole.

It was immensely cold at the time, and he told his caddie that he needed a layup. That was the first time in his life he had ever said it. However, Butchy pestered him into going for it, catching him off guard. He also explained why. “I’ve watched the shots all morning. Nobody can get that wide shot close. It’s too tough. Hit this over the green and we’ll get it up and down,” said Butchy to Woodland. It turned out to be the best swing of his entire career, and he gives all the credit to his caddie for it.

This is not the first time that Tiger Woods has partnered with Gary Woodland. Woodland also received a sponsor exemption from Woods to the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club. But why?

Gary Woodland came back after battling a brain tumor

Tiger Woods knows the pain that comes with health scares in the field of golf. It was the terrific car accident back in 2021 that changed everything for him. Well, the story of Gary Woodland is pretty much the same. He battled with a brain tumor in 2023. In 2024, he came back after recovering and getting back to full health to play on the Tour. The 39-year-old was given a kickstart for the season through Woods’ exemption. Despite getting several requests for the same, he decided to give it to Woodland.

“I think we haven’t had enough conversation about what he’s gone through, how difficult life was for Gary, how scary that every moment he’s afraid of dying, and the anxiety of that. And to have surgery and remove a tumor out of his brain and to come back and play the tour—that’s an unbelievable story. I think that we should applaud him for what he’s been able to overcome,” he said at the press conference.

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