David Howard reaches The Open after managing cystic fibrosis since childhood.

Howard qualified for Royal Birkdale by sharing second place at Final Qualifying at Dundonald Links. The 27-year-old from County Cork began taking golf seriously in his late teens and won the 2025 East of Ireland title.

Howard takes 25 to 30 tablets daily and said medication introduced in 2018 transformed his health. He returned to golf after a severe mental-health episode during the pandemic and completed his mechanic apprenticeship.