Earlier this year, at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Gary Woodland met Special Olympian Amy Bockerstette.
Woodland, who was playing a practice round alongside Matt Kuchar, embraced Bockerstette and encouraged her to hit a tee shot at TPC Scottsdale’s infamous par-3 16th hole.
Amy not only hit the tee shot, she ended up making a par that amazed Woodland and went viral.
Woodland became a Bockerstette fan that day and Amy became a fan of Gary’s as well.
Fast-forward five months and Amy watched live as Woodland captured his first major title at the 119th U.S. Open. And, as you can see below, she was more excited for Woodland’s win that she was for her inspirational performance in Phoenix.
He's got this. 🏆❤
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 17, 2019
With Mom, Dad and @MrsTesori, @AmyGolfsNDances watches her friend @GaryWoodland win the U.S. Open.
All the feels. pic.twitter.com/ogQqN0yaYu
And thanks to the wonders of modern technology, Woodland got a chance to chat with Amy via FaceTime after his post-victory news conference.
A FaceTime with the @usopengolf champion - and between two best friends 💖@LPGA-@USGA #GirlsGolf member @AmyGolfsNDances and #USOpen Champion @GaryWoodland after he captures his first major title, with Amy cheering him along the entire way. #LittleGirlsBIGDreams pic.twitter.com/kyNSdyjUVN
— LPGA*USGA Girls Golf (@LPGAGirlsGolf) June 17, 2019
“The world needs more of her in it. Her attitude, her love for life, love for the game and her positive energy is so contagious,” Woodland said after his breakthrough major victory. “I’ve had the pleasure to continue to speak with her. She sent me a nice video when I got sick and had to pull out of Wells Fargo. She sent me an amazing birthday video, singing happy birthday to me. She’s a special girl, special parents, and it’s nice to call her a friend.”