The Open: 'I didn't think I'd live to this age' - David Howard's inspiring journey to Royal Birkdale

Howard qualified for The Open by finishing joint second at the final qualifying event at Dundonald Links in Scotland

Of the 156 players competing at this week's Open Championship, David Howard's journey to Royal Birkdale is among the most remarkable and inspiring.

For a long time, teeing it up at a major alongside the world's best golfers was nothing more than a pipe dream for the trained mechanic from county Cork.

When Howard was seven years old, he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, the genetic condition that causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system.

By his own estimate, Howard was in hospital "a few times a year" with infections.

"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," the 27-year-old told BBC Sport NI's Stephen Watson.

"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."

While Howard says that access to new medication in 2018 has been "life-changing", the Covid pandemic proved to be a particularly dark chapter in his life.

"Covid was very tough. I ended up cocooning because I was afraid of getting sick, afraid of nearly dying I suppose," he explained.

"I ended up going into a psychosis, a manic episode, and ended up in the hospital for a couple of weeks.

"At that time, you couldn't have visitors in the hospital and it was a very tough time. The CF unit helped me out again and I didn't have to go into the psych ward, so credit to them."

The episode left Howard bed-ridden for weeks, but once recovered he completed his apprenticeship as a mechanic and picked up his golf clubs again.

"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.

Getting back on the fairways proved a smart move.

Howard says he takes "25-30 tablets" each day to "keep me running" but it has not stopped him from producing some quality displays.

The 2025 East of Ireland champion - who only seriously took up golf in his late teens - entered regional Open qualifying at The Island in county Dublin.

While he finished first reserve, he got the call to proceed to the 36-hole final qualifying event at Dundonald Links.

With his father John on the bag, Howard - who plays out of Fota Island Golf Club just east of Cork city - carded rounds of 69 and 71 to finish joint second on four under and secure his ticket to Birkdale.

It has already been a week to remember in Southport for Howard, who has never previously attended The Open, even as a spectator.

On Monday, he played a practice round with Irish golfing greats Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry, who have both previously lifted the Claret Jug, and Stuart Grehan, the Irishman who clinched the British Amateur title at Hoylake last month.

On Thursday, Howard will begin his tournament at 10:42 BST alongside New Zealand's Kazuma Kobori and England's Tom Sloman.

"It's surreal. I've been busy playing inter-pros for Munster and playing for my home club Fota Island, I haven't had much time to think, but I'm happy to be here," said Howard, who is 1,441st in the world amateur rankings.

"I've only been to an Irish Open years ago to watch, so first time playing. I've watched a small bit on TV over the years, so it'll be a good test and a great week.

"I can't wait. 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."

Regardless of how he fares this week, Howard says his Open debut will be worthwhile if it inspires other people with cystic fibrosis to chase their dreams.

"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."

Live radio and text commentary across all four rounds on BBC Sport website and app, Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds. Daily television highlights on BBC2 and iPlayer from 21:00 BST on Thursday and Friday, 20:30 on Saturday and 21:55 on Sunday. All times subject to change.