Palm Beach Gardens, FL ….
For Gary Woodland winning last year’s US Open was a pinnacle in his career.
The American won by three shots over the runner-up and two-time defending champion Koepka to become the fourth champion in U.S. Open history who was double-digits under-par.
The victory was his first major and his sixth professional win. In his previous thirty starts in majors, Woodland had only carded two top-ten finishes, both in the PGA Championship.
Of course, the very affable American is no different to any other sportsperson as once who win once at sport’s highest level, you want to win again.
Though in his 14 events since winning the US Open at Pebble Beach Woodland has finished no higher than fifth late last year at the Zozo Championship in far off Japan.
Gary Woodland captures 2019 US Open (Photo @USGA)
Woodland, 35 has superbly put himself back into victory contention thanks to a second round 67 to move to three-under par through two rounds of the Honda Classic and just two shots behind fellow American Brendan Steele (67) at five-under on the PGA National course.
Woodland was asked after his second round if he thought he was finally regaining the form that earned him victory in last year’s US Open.
“It was my short game won me that U.S. Open, and I think I got so excited about the short game, I did a little bit too much short game work, I think, and I lost my ball-striking a little bit,” he said.
I’ve relied on my ball-striking my whole career, and I focused a lot after that U.S. Open on trying to be the best short game guy in the world. I need to rely on my ball-striking and have the short game save me, and I’ve gotten back to that a little bit.”
And with the Masters just a matter of weeks away, Woodland was also asked where he thought his game was now.
“I was trending. Last week I started playing a little bit better, and like I said, this golf course shows you where you’re at,” he said.
“We have a big stretch coming up, The Players coming up and then leading into the Masters. I like coming here and
hitting different shots and seeing what I need to work on over the next couple weeks, but all in all, I’m happy
with where the game is.”
