​SOUTHPORT, England — When David Howard looked up the life expectancy for someone living with cystic fibrosis after his diagnosis—and, like most people would do—the data suggested he could die in his mid-20s. That prospect is hard to swallow as a child, and it helps explain the extraordinary resilience of the 27-year-old Irishman who not only remains alive but is competing as an amateur in the Open Championship. Surviving with a rare genetic disorder that predisposes him to lung infections and other organ problems marks only the beginning of his remarkable story.
Earlier this week, a friend urged me to learn more about Howard, which led me to a powerful Irish Times profile by Gavin Cooney. While listing Howard’s challenges in bullet points might seem blunt, I’m largely building on Cooney’s reporting, and the outline is staggering:
– Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age seven, later than many sufferers, after years of misdiagnosis
– Access to the internet before recent medical advances meant he encountered the bleakest life-expectancy projections early on
– Often missed two-week blocks of school while hospitalized, receiving IV antibiotics for infections
– In secondary school, he started drinking; if confronted, he would shrug and say, “sure it doesn’t matter, I won’t be here much longer”
– Sought counseling, discovered golf, and found a sport he could pursue despite his condition
– Studied to become a mechanic while his game flourished, reaching a +5 handicap and even beating his father in a match-play event
– Then COVID hit, a period during which he “lost touch with reality,” skipped meals and sleep for days, and experienced manic episodes in which he felt messages from God and believed he’d win the Lotto and become the richest man in the world
– This led to another hospital stay, when doctors tapered off his medications, causing renewed illness and prompting his parents and girlfriend to fear he might never be “himself” again
– Over the following year, he proved the doctors wrong, but it was the most challenging chapter in an already arduous life
– He returned to work and began to consider whether giving golf a serious try could alter his path, which culminated in a win at the East of Ireland, a second-place finish at the Irish Amateur Open, and a successful run through Final Qualifying to secure his place in this year’s Open
Each new detail adds another layer to a story that is almost unbelievable. Simply being present at the Open is, in itself, a victory for Howard.
This week’s spotlight on Howard sits amid broader golf coverage, including features on the field at Royal Birkdale and the inspirational journeys of the ten amateurs competing at the British Open, which underscores the remarkable narratives tucked within the tournament. Howard’s presence at the event is a testament to perseverance, resilience, and the power of sport to reshape a life, no matter the odds.