Brooks Koepka misses cut as Woodland eyes first win since 2019
Category: Sports
HOUSTON — The 2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open has seen a dramatic shift as Gary Woodland surged to the top of the leaderboard with a stellar performance, leaving notable competitors like Brooks Koepka behind. Woodland, who is chasing his first tournament victory since 2019, shot an impressive 7-under 63 in the second round at Memorial Park Golf Course, bringing his total to 13-under par and giving him a three-shot lead going into the weekend.
Woodland's back-to-back rounds of 64 and 63 have positioned him favorably, and he is determined to capitalize on this momentum. “We’re a long ways from that, 36 holes left. I’m proud of myself for the way I played,” Woodland said after his round, emphasizing the need to stay focused and maintain his current form. Last year, he finished as the runner-up at this very event, and he is eager to finish the job this time around.
As the tournament progresses, the stakes are high, with the winner set to earn 500 FedEx Cup points and a substantial prize of $1.78 million from a total purse of $9.9 million. Woodland’s performance has not gone unnoticed, and he has emerged as the player to watch.
Meanwhile, Brooks Koepka’s week took a disappointing turn as he failed to make the cut after rounds of 75 and 69 left him at 4-over par, five shots off the projected cut line of 2-under. Koepka, a nine-time TOUR winner, entered the tournament with high hopes following three consecutive top-20 finishes and expressed confidence going into the Masters in a few weeks. “It’s about how I feel, and I feel very good, very confident going into Augusta,” he stated before the tournament.
Koepka's struggles on the greens have been a recurring theme, as he ranked 127th on TOUR in putting entering the week. He recently switched to a TaylorMade Spider-style mallet putter in hopes of improving his performance on the greens. Unfortunately, his putting woes continued at Memorial Park, where he lost more than three strokes on the greens over two rounds.
His opening round was particularly challenging, featuring three double bogeys within a four-hole stretch. “The putting was a huge thing,” Koepka admitted. “I was putting so terribly, I felt like I had to birdie the hole almost from the fairway or from the tee box.” After a promising performance in the Florida Swing, where he finished T9, T13, and T18 in his previous three tournaments, Koepka’s missed cut at the Houston Open has left him with more questions than answers.
As the tournament continues, Woodland’s closest competitors are Nicolai Højgaard and Jackson Suber, who are tied for second at 10-under par. Højgaard made headlines by tying the course record with a remarkable 62 in the second round, demonstrating his potential to challenge Woodland for the title. Defending champion Min Woo Lee is also in the mix, tied for fourth at 9-under after shooting a 63 on Friday.
Golf fans can catch the third round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open on March 28, 2026, starting at 1 p.m. ET on Golf Channel, followed by NBC’s coverage at 3 p.m. ET. Streaming options are available through PGA Tour Live on ESPN+, which offers coverage starting at 7:30 a.m. ET, along with featured group and hole coverage throughout the day.
As the weekend approaches, Woodland remains focused on maintaining his lead. “Continue to do what I’ve been doing and then we’ll see where we’re at at the end,” he remarked, showing a level of composure that will be key as he seeks to secure his first win in several years.
The atmosphere at Memorial Park is electric, with spectators eager to witness how the tournament will evolve. With top players vying for the title and the Masters just around the corner, . As the final rounds approach, golf enthusiasts worldwide closely to see if Woodland can hold off the competition and claim victory.
In a year filled with ups and downs, the Texas Children’s Houston Open has once again proven to be a thrilling event on the PGA Tour calendar, setting the stage for an exciting finish and a glimpse of what’s to come in the major season ahead.