Fresh off a win at the Valero Texas Open, Brian Harman stepped off the course with more than just a trophy on his mind.
The 2023 Open Champion revealed a deeply personal update just days before teeing off at the Masters, sharing that Cathy Dowdy, the family friend who helped save his 6-year-old son from drowning, has entered hospice care.
“It’s been heavy,” Harman said in an emotional video posted by the PGA Tour. “I’m going to dedicate this win to the entire Dowdy family. I know Cathy is fighting really hard right now. We love y’all so much. Can’t wait to get home to see y’all.”
Life-Saving Act, And A Family’s Ongoing Heartbreak
The original incident unfolded during a family vacation in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, last October. Harman was competing in China on the Asian Tour while his wife, Kelly Van Slyke, was with their three kids: Cooper, 8, Walter, 6, and Jack, 2. On October 13, a powerful rip current caught Walter while he was bodyboarding.
Cathy Dowdy, a longtime family friend from Brunswick, Georgia, didn’t hesitate. She entered the ocean in an attempt to reach the boy but struggled against the strong current. A bystander, Crane Cantrell, ultimately managed to pull Walter from the water, saving the child’s life.
Valero Texas Open champion Brian Harman played with a heavy heart today as Cathy Dowdy, a family friend who rushed into the ocean to help save his son from drowning in October, entered hospice care on Friday. pic.twitter.com/iICGk5dcT8
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 6, 2025
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Dowdy, however, was left critically injured. According to The St. Johns Citizen, a lifeguard brought her back to shore and administered CPR until emergency responders arrived. Dowdy remained in a coma for more than six weeks.
Now, months after that terrifying day, Harman confirmed that Dowdy has entered hospice care. Her condition has taken another difficult turn, even as the golf world focuses on Augusta this week.
A GoFundMe created to support Dowdy’s medical expenses has raised nearly $107,000. The Harman family, who has kept relatively quiet about the aftermath until now, continues to lean on community support during this time.
Brian Harman and Kelly, who married in 2014, have expressed deep gratitude for those who stepped in when their son needed help. Harman’s latest victory came under a cloud of personal heartache- but also a reminder of the people who truly matter most.
Also Read: Golf Fans Are Fuming Over Open Leader Brian Harman For His Actions At Royal Liverpool GC
