David Howard feels the determination that people with cystic fibrosis have is what drives him everyday in his life. So he won’t be giving up hope of making the cut and competing for the silver medal after an opening four-over 74 on day one of the Open at Royal Birkdale.
Howard was beaming from ear to ear after his round which is the culmination of an amazing golf and life story. The day began as he emerged and then teed off to a raucous roar from what seemed like all of Fota Island Golf Club. Sure, he was a little disappointed with a 74 he would have loved the dream start of something in and around level-par but his first tee experience is something he will never forget.
“It was mad. I was nervous enough as it was, but I think it made me more nervous, if anything. Had to give them a motion to quiet down. It was unbelievable,” he said with a smile.
“I can’t thank them enough. So many friends, family, club, girlfriend. It’s just a special moment out there. I never got such applause for a bogey before, when I tapped in for bogey on 15. It was like making a big birdie putt to win something. They’re unbelievable. It was a great moment.”
Howard defied those first tee nerves with a sensational 326 yard drive. It was exactly how he drew it up in his mind.
“That was unbelievable. My shot with the driver right-to-left wind is lovely. It reminded me of the East of Ireland last year with right-to-left wind. Kind of suits the shape at the moment. It was unbelievable to hear the cheer after that. It was like I won something big. It’s class. Nothing like that before.”
As for his round, Howard tugged his approach to the first and had to hole a 15-footer for a par save. He soon settled and opened his day with five pars before dropping shots on the 6th and 8th. Three pars in a row from the 10th paved the way for a rollercoaster finish.
The Fota Island member mixed birdies on the 14th and 17th with bogeys on the 13th, 15th, 16th and 18th where he hit two provisional balls from the tee and left rough on the last.
The 27-year-old felt he was too conservative off the tee and will try and play to his strengths with the driver on Friday in his bid to make the weekend.
“I got off to a nice enough start. Made a few nice pars. I feel like approach play wasn’t great, and I missed greens when I felt like I shouldn’t have been. Managed to make a few nice saves, up-and-downs. Made a few putts that were nice. But it was a bit sloppy here and there. I feel like if I wouldn’t have hit iron off the tee, could have gotten myself in trouble. So think more driver tomorrow and full send.
“It was a great day. Yeah, just a few sloppy things out there, but all in all, I think I handled things pretty well. Disappointed with the score, but it’s an experience, and the support out there is unbelievable. So, yeah, it was a good day all in all.”
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