After a long stretch of signature events to get the 2025 PGA Tour season kicked off, preparations for The Masters are officially underway. Some of the top players in golf are in Houston this week for the Texas Children's Houston Open with just two weeks until the first major of the year.Heading into any major, everyone is keeping an eye on the former major champions as possible contenders. After all, they're the ones that know how to get the job done when the chips are down. Gary Woodland is included in that group after winning the 2019 U.S. Open.Just before the 2025 edition of The Masters, Woodland is finding his best form. He posted a 6-under 64 in the second round in Houston on Friday to move up into the top five heading into the weekend.Woodland came in with an even-par 35 after teeing off on the back nine on Friday, but he caught fire on the front to finish his day.After making a two on the par-3 2nd, Woodland made five birdies in a row starting on the fourth hole to finish the front nine with a 6-under 29."That was nice, I needed that," Woodland said after his round. "I haven't had a run like that. I birdied three in a row yesterday, I kind of got excited because I haven't done that. Birdied six out of seven there in the middle. The only par I had was a three-putt for par.""So it was nice. I've been knocking on the door for a little while and it's nice to see some results. My coach, Randy's been telling me I have all the tools and it's coming, I've just got to stay patient. Finally nice to see some results."Golf fans are thrilled to see Woodland in contention. The PGA TOUR Courage Award winner is one of the best stories in golf after a 2023 surgery to remove a brain lesion.Now, Woodland is back and competing full-time in the pros while still managing symptoms from the surgery.Woodland was awarded with the Courage Award in February, and this appears to be his best chance of making it into the winners circle since returning to competition at the start of the 2024 season."Yeah, there's no doubt. It's been amazing, to be honest with you," Woodland said of the crowd support. "And it surprised me, to be honest with you, how much love and support I've had from the fans. It's been amazing. I'm trying to embrace it, trying to feed off that because I need the energy, but it's been really good and something I'm very, very thankful for."With the afternoon wave still on the course on Friday, Woodland sits four shots back of leader Scottie Scheffler.More Golf: Scottie Scheffler Skies to Top of Houston Open, Lights up Golf World