LAWRENCE, Kan. – In celebration of former Kansas golfer Gary Woodland’s 2019 U.S. Open victory, the Williams Education Fund held a dinner at the Jayhawk Club on Friday.

Todd Lewis from the Golf Channel sat down with Woodland for an interview in front of the crowd at the event where Woodland talked about his time at KU, the U.S. Open and what helped push him growing up.

“My mom always believed I could be the greatest thing that ever lived,” Woodland said. “My dad, on the other hand, always said ‘You can get there, you just have to work to get there.’ I was fortunate enough to have that.”

In the PGA, Woodland would capture three titles before his victory at the U.S. Open, where he shot a record round at Pebble Beach with a 13-under par.

During his time at Kansas, Woodland had great success in his two seasons. Woodland finished in the top-5 on 10 different occasions, four of which were in first place.

Athletic Director Jeff Long mentioned the way Woodland carries himself off the course and how he is a role model for others.

“We talked a lot to our student-athletes about what we are trying to help them become,” Long said. “And I think Gary Woodland is an incredible example of what we hope for all our student-athletes when they leave our university.”

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without, not only the people in this room but also the University of Kansas,” Woodland said.