Gary Woodland is leading the Houston Open leaderboard at 13 under par after an impressive Round 2. Nicolai Højgaard follows closely in second place at 10 under par, having shot an outstanding 8-under 62 during the round.
Min Woo Lee and Jason Day are tied for fourth place at 9 under par, both delivering strong performances with 63s in Round 2. Jackson Suber also shares the second spot with Højgaard, matching his score of 10 under par after a 62.
The total purse for the 2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open stands at $9.9 million, with the winner set to take home a substantial $1.782 million. This financial incentive adds pressure and excitement as the tournament progresses.
Brooks Koepka, a notable name in the field, missed the cut with a total score of 4 over par, while the projected cut line was set at 2 under par after Round 2.
Woodland’s resurgence comes after a challenging period; he underwent brain surgery in 2023 to remove a tumor and has been candid about his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder. “G-Dub is off to a great start again on Friday, birdieing three of his first eight holes to move to 9 under overall and two shots in front of Paul Waring,” remarked an observer.
It’s been nearly seven years since Woodland’s last victory at the 2019 U.S. Open, making his current form particularly compelling. Højgaard has also shown remarkable consistency this season, having made the cut in all seven of his starts and already securing a pair of top 10 finishes.
Regardless of the outcome this weekend, Woodland’s return to form has been a joy to witness for fans and fellow players alike, as he is one of the most well-liked and respected figures on the PGA Tour.
As the tournament moves into its final rounds, observers are eager to see if Woodland can maintain his lead or if challengers like Højgaard and others will mount a comeback. Details remain unconfirmed.
