David Howard grew up believing he might not see 30. Now the 27-year-old mechanic from county Cork, Ireland, is getting ready to play at The Open Championship — one of golf's biggest tournaments — alongside some of the best players in the world.
Howard was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age 7. The genetic condition causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system, making infections common. "I remember when I first got access to a phone when I was 12, 13, I googled 'cystic fibrosis life expectancy' and it was saying mid-20s," Howard told BBC Sport NI. "When I was 12 or 13 I didn't even think I'd live to this age — to be here now, healthy as ever and playing with all these top players, it doesn't even make sense to me."
Howard takes 25 to 30 tablets every day to manage his condition. New medication he started in 2018 changed his life, he said. But the Covid pandemic brought dark days. He was so afraid of getting sick that he cocooned at home, which triggered a mental health crisis. "I ended up going into a psychosis, a manic episode, and ended up in the hospital for a couple of weeks," he explained. Without visitors allowed, he spent that time alone. But once he recovered, Howard picked up his golf clubs and decided not to waste any more time.
"That's what drove me on to the golf, not wanting to have any regrets down the line and to see what I can do," he said.
Howard, who only seriously started playing golf in his late teens, won the 2025 East of Ireland title at County Louth Golf Club. To qualify for The Open, he traveled to Dundonald Links in Scotland with his father John on the bag as caddie. Howard shot rounds of 69 and 71 to finish joint second on four under par, earning his spot at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England.
This week has already been memorable. On Monday, Howard played a practice round with Irish golfing legends Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry — both former winners of The Open, which comes with the famous Claret Jug trophy.
On Thursday, Howard will tee off at 10:42 BST alongside New Zealand's Kazuma Kobori and England's Tom Sloman. It's his first time even attending The Open as a spectator. "I can't wait," he said. "I'm going to try my best to enjoy the week. But at the same time, I'm not here to make up the numbers. I really want to do my best and see where it takes me."
Howard hopes his story inspires others living with cystic fibrosis. "I've had a few people with CF kids reach out to me," he said. "This is why I do all this stuff for CF Ireland and advocacy, to show them that it's not the end of the world. Keep pushing on, keep fighting and you can follow your dreams too."