Brian Harman took time out of his pre-tournament press conference to thank a woman who tried to help save his son from drowning.
The 2023 Open Championship winner is preparing for The RSM Classic in St. Simons Island, Georgia – but a devastating ordeal still hovers over him.
Harman was competing in a tournament in China on October 13 while his wife, kids and family friend Cathy Dowdy visited Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida.
However what followed was a stark reminder of the challenges presented by the force of the sea.
“My son was involved, he was out boogie boarding with one of his really good friends, got ripped out to sea by just a rip current,” Harman revealed.
“We get ’em here, it’s not something that’s abnormal, but this was an abnormally bad one.
“Cathy Dowdy, a family friend – really, we call ’em family friends but they’re family – she went in the water,” he continued. “She went in the water after my son. He’s 6. Couldn’t get to him.
“Another gentleman coming down the beach, Crane Cantrell, jumped in. He makes it out fine; Cathy (got) injured really badly.
“She’s been in a coma for going on six weeks now and so obviously our world down here was kind of turned on its head.”
According to the St. John’s Citizen, a lifeguard reached Dowdy and brought her to shore, where he performed CPR before the arrival of the emergency services.
Dowdy was taken to a local hospital but has since been transferred to another in the City of Savannah.
“I wanted to use whatever platform I have to bring awareness to what Cathy did, what Crane did,” Harman said.
“They disregarded themselves, went into the water, saved my son and how do you thank people like that?
“I don’t know other than to just say what you think. I think that bravery and doing something like that for people who aren’t your blood is just the most beautiful thing you can do in this life.
“So Cathy’s still hurt real bad,” he added. “She’s up in Savannah and we’re thinking about her.
“The outpouring of support we’ve gotten from Glynn County and St. Simons community is another one of the most touching things I’ve ever experienced.
“And for all we’ve been through and for how terrible it’s been for Mike and Christina and Nicole (Dowdy’s family members), they’re family for us and we’re with ’em till the end, and I appreciate everybody that’s helped us out through all this.
“You know, prayers for Cathy.”
