Crisis puts things into perspective for Woodland

At some point this week, Gary Woodland will face adversity at Augusta National Golf Club. But if he seems quick to shrug off a bad shot or a bogey, there’s good reason.

“My life has been put into perspective,” Woodland said. “Bogeys don’t seem that important anymore.”

Perspective came in jarring, tragic fashion two weeks ago. As he readied for his WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play clash with Rory McIlroy, he got a call from his wife, Gabby. He didn’t even need to answer it to know something was wrong.

“She knows when I’m at the golf course, I’m working and never tries to reach me,” Woodland said.

The news from Gabby, who was in Austin for the tournament, couldn’t have been any worse. Eighteen weeks pregnant with twins – the couple’s first time expecting – Gabby was experiencing problems.

She was rushed to the hospital, and tournament officials got Woodland there as well. He withdrew from his match with McIlroy and the tournament on Thursday for what he disclosed at the time to be “personal matters” and later revealed to be news no parent should ever have to deal with. Gabby had lost one of the twins.

“It was pretty terrifying,” Woodland said. “She was there in Austin, which was a good thing. She wanted me to play when I withdrew, but that wasn’t an option for me. I wanted to be there for her.”

After stabilizing Gabby and the surviving twin, the Woodlands returned to their Lawrence, Kan., residence, where she will be under the care of her doctor in Kansas City. Gabby’s family will spend the rest of the pregnancy in Lawrence as well, with Woodland’s family less than a half-hour away in Topeka.

Woodland will be there as much as his schedule allows. Yet he acknowledged the health of Gabby and the baby will also dictate his schedule, and until last week his fifth trip to the Masters was up in the air.

“It’s a matter if she continues to be stable and continues to be in a position where she and the baby are healthy, I’ll play,” he said. “If not, I’ll be back home with her.”

With things stable on the homefront, Woodland insists he’s in a good spot as he goes for his first green jacket.

“There’s no doubt about it, it will be a challenge, but as long as my wife and baby are stable, I can play freely,” he said.