The British Open features golfs usual stars plus a mechanic fighting cystic fibrosis, a delivery driver and a homegrown competitor

SOUTHPORT, England — As the 154th British Open unfolds this week at Royal Birkdale, you’re going to hear a lot about the stars of the show, and rightfully so.You’re going to hear about world No.1 Scottie Scheffler trying to be the first to repeat as “Champion Golfer of the World’’ since Padraig Harrington did it in 2008.You’re going to hear about Tommy Fleetwood, aka “Tommy Lad,’’ who grew up in the shadow of Royal Birkdale and used to sneak onto the course with his father.You’re going to hear about Rory McIlroy and his pursuit of more major championships.You’re going to hear about the star LIV Golf players like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau and what they might do if the struggling tour fails to survive.You’re going to hear about whether an English player can win the Claret Jug on English soil for the first time since Tony Jacklin did it in 1969.Hopefully, you will also hear about the obscure contestants in the field this week with fascinating storylines.Hopefully, you’re going to see the likes of three unique players, who powered through qualifying stages to get into the field, taking shots in this Open.Here are their stories:• Begin with David Howard, a mechanic from Cork in Ireland who’s persevering through cystic fibrosis as he chases his golfing dreams.At age 7, Howard was diagnosed with the genetic condition that causes mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system and can be debilitating to the point of severely shortening life expectancy.“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 Howard said this week.

“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, who estimates he takes “25-30 tablets” per day to “keep me running,” won the 2025 East of Ireland title and...