Golfer David Howard’s Open debut follows cystic fibrosis battle
14 reported
David Howard, a 27-year-old trained mechanic from County Cork, is competing in this week’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale after a journey shaped by cystic fibrosis. Diagnosed at age seven, Howard said he was hospitalized “a few times a year” with infections and, at 12 or 13, googled the life expectancy for the condition, which he recalled as “mid-20s.” New medication in 2018 was “life-changing,” but during the Covid pandemic he experienced a psychosis and manic episode that left him bed-ridden for weeks. After recovering, he completed his mechanic apprenticeship and returned to golf, driven by a desire to avoid regrets. Howard entered regional Open qualifying at The Island in County Dublin, finished first reserve, then got a call to proceed to final qualifying at Dundonald Links, where he shot 69 and 71 to finish joint second on four under. He will begin tournament play on Thursday at 10:42 BST alongside Kazuma Kobori and Tom Sloman.
What’s reported
David Howard is 27 years old and a trained mechanic from County Cork.
He was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age seven.
He estimated he was in hospital “a few times a year” with infections.
At age 12 or 13, he googled cystic fibrosis life expectancy and saw “mid-20s.”
New medication in 2018 was “life-changing.”
During the Covid pandemic, he experienced a psychosis and manic episode and was hospitalized for a couple of weeks.
He completed his mechanic apprenticeship after recovering.
He entered regional Open qualifying at The Island in County Dublin and finished first reserve.
He then played in 36-hole final qualifying at Dundonald Links, carding 69 and 71 to finish joint second on four under.
He plays out of Fota Island Golf Club.
On Monday, he played a practice round with Padraig Harrington, Shane Lowry, and Stuart Grehan.
He will begin tournament play Thursday at 10:42 BST alongside Kazuma Kobori and Tom Sloman.
He is 1,441st in the world amateur rankings.
He takes “25-30 tablets” each day.
Key figures
David Howard, golfer from County Cork
Stephen Watson, BBC Sport NI reporter
John Howard, David’s father and caddie
Padraig Harrington, Irish golfer
Shane Lowry, Irish golfer
Stuart Grehan, Irish golfer
Kazuma Kobori, New Zealand golfer
Tom Sloman, English golfer
Sources: BBC News
