HOUSTON, Texas — On January 16, Ryann O’Toole was with her mother, Dana, when Apple sent her a notification. Her stomach dropped when she read the alert.

Her brother, Brennan, had been in an accident.

Ryann and Dana rushed to get first responders to the scene. When paramedics called, having found the mangled side-by-side vehicle with Brennan no longer in the driver’s seat, Ryann knew the situation was dire.

“He was ejected, air lifted from Prescott (Arizona) down to Phoenix,” she explained. “He was on life support and didn't know if he was going to make it.”

With her brother lying intubated in a hospital bed, comatose, Ryann went into big sister mode. She was in the ICU with Brennan every single day, working with nurses and hospital staff to make sure her little brother got the best care possible. She helped with his cleanings and was there when he opened his eyes and spoke for the first time, skills the O’Tooles weren’t sure would return fully after the trauma his body went through.

“We didn't know what was going to come of it,” Ryann said. “We didn't know was he ever going to walk again, have access to his right side, like movement, and what his brain state was going to be. He had a really bad brain injury.”

Ryann O'Toole with brother Brennan O'Toole

At the recommendation of the doctors responsible for Brennan’s care, Ryann started capturing the events of each day in the ICU in a journal so Brennan could read about what had gone on when he woke up from his coma. She kept notes about his treatment, detailing what medical professionals were telling the family, and any visitors that dropped by penned messages to Brennan, willing him to make a full recovery.

When Brennan was well enough to read again, Ryann said the entries disturbed him.

“He doesn't remember this big period. Basically, Christmas, even though it was before the accident, Christmas to only a couple of weeks ago is a blank for him,” Ryann explained. “That's normal like brain amnesia. So they said write in the journal so that he can look back and understand the steps and build this image of what happened. My mom said the other day he was reading the journal, and he was just bawling, and she was like, ‘What's wrong?’

“He goes, ‘I was really broken. I really almost like…’ He was trying to find the words because he still struggles with words. He would try to read the entries and couldn't get through the words because he was crying, because he realized how close he came to killing himself. Scared him. But he's realizing, and it's hard when someone doesn't remember to also realize actions that have caused the accident, and then what his state is now.”

Miraculously, Brennan has recovered from the accident, regaining his ability to walk and talk, even though finding the right words can still be a bit challenging at times. He’s now living with his parents and has started working out again, even coming out to El Caballero Country Club to watch Ryann compete in the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro, spectating for three full rounds in Los Angeles.

Ryann O'Toole with Family

Watching her brother go through everything he has over the last few months has provided Ryann with a heavy dose of perspective about the triviality of her career as a professional athlete. And while she, of course, wants to win tournaments and play as well as she can, the 39-year-old has been reminded quite often over the last couple of years that golf is indeed just a game. It isn’t life or death.

“Last year, I started the year off really hard. I had my appendix out on New Year's. Had a few weeks off. Just felt off having them cut into me,” said Ryann. “Then started the events just kind of behind. Then in April, my partner's mom passed away, so I took time off there. I pulled out of the Vegas event and took a few weeks off. I felt like I kept getting behind the ball, and I never found – it was almost one of those I feel a little lost. So, by that point, now you're pressing, pushing, missing cuts. I think it snowballs.”

Ryann was then confronted with the potential end to her LPGA Tour career at the end of the 2025 season, returning to the Final Stage of the LPGA Qualifying Series in December with hopes of improving her status for the 2026 season. She ultimately met that goal with a T3 finish in Lower Alabama, but it was a motivating reality check.

“I was up at 5:00 a.m., 6:00 a.m. working out and to the hospital by 7:30, 8:00 a.m., at the hospital all day, and would be relieved in the afternoon to go practice kind of thing,” Ryann explained. “Or I would go practice for a little bit and then go to the hospital from like 1:00 until basically evening. Kind of someone always being there. So maybe I just maximized and optimized my practice.

“You never know when your last event is going to be or whatever. I'm just happy to be here. On top of going to Q-School last year, that was kind of a kick in the butt. I went just saying, look, if I make it, great. Then I have control of my future. If I don't, I'm going to start the next chapter.”

The next chapter includes plans to become a mother, as Ryann shared that “baby fever” has started to come on pretty strong as she approaches 40. But those future off-course plans don’t seem to be clouding her competitive mindset, at least not at the first major of the 2026 LPGA Tour season.

Through two rounds at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas, Ryann has posted a 36-hole total of 7-under to sit seven shots behind second-round leader Nelly Korda in a share of third at The Chevron Championship.

It’s been an impressive performance from the LPGA Tour veteran over the first two days in the Lone Star State, much of which can be attributed to a strong putting display that has seen Ryann hit 51 putts across the opening two rounds. And it’s watching some of those putts finally drop that Ryann says has made a difference in her self-belief with her flat stick this week on the undulating greens that are the teeth at this property.

“Definitely been working on stroke. The last few events, I feel like I've been burning edge, burning edge, and waiting for it just to go,” Ryann said. “Arizona, I got to 8-under on Sunday and felt like all week it was edge burning before that. So it's nice to see I'm not starting the week off like that, and I'm seeing them go in. I think it's just been time coming and getting that confidence, and being able to see them go in obviously helps.”

It’s going to take a monumental effort for anyone to catch Korda over the weekend, as the Rolex Rankings No. 2 has opened up a chasmic lead to separate herself from the rest of the pack. But Ryann is ready for the challenge of chasing down one of the game’s top talents, motivated as maybe she’s ever been in her pursuit of a second LPGA Tour title and first major championship.

And even if the odds don’t ultimately swing in her favor come Sunday afternoon in Houston, even if the metal of the Dinah Shore trophy isn’t warm in her hands as she sweats in the muggy Texas heat in a white, terrycloth robe, Ryann will still be smiling, knowing just how differently life could’ve looked in 2026.

She’s got more tournaments to play. Her brother is alive. And that’s really all that matters.

Ryann O'Toole Playing for More Than Major Glory at The Chevron Championship with Brother Brennan on Her Mind

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