Golfer Brian Harman Says Woman Is in Coma After Saving His 6-Year-Old Son from Drowning

Mar. 15, 2025

A family friend of the golfer Brian Harman is in a coma after she tried to save his 6-year-old son from drowning.

Cathy Dowdy was seriously injured in the Oct. 13 incident in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.,Harman told reportersahead of the RSM Classic on St. Simons Island, Ga. on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

“[Dowdy] went in the water after my son,” Harman, who was in China at a golf tournament at the time of the accident, said. “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.”

A lifeguard was able to bring the Brunswick, Ga. mother and grandmother to shore and perform CPR, and she was transported to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville,theSt Johns Citizenreported.

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Brian Harman.Oisin Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty

Oisin Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty

“They disregarded their selves, went into the water, saved my son and how do you thank people like that?” Harman said. “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.”

In a GoFundMe updateon Monday, Nov. 18, Dowdy’s husband, Mike, shared that her recovery has been “a roller-coaster ride.”

“She is still unconscious and still having some neuro storms,” he wrote. “This causes a roller coaster ride with blood pressure and breathing rate. Please pray for calmer days ahead.”

Ross Kinnaird/Getty

Earlier this month, Cathy was transferred to Select Specialty Hospital, a long-term care hospital, in Savannah, Ga., Mike wrote.

Harman, a three-time PGA Tour champion, said the Dowdys — whom he called “family” —  are in his prayers.

“I appreciate everybody that’s helped us out through all this,” he said.

source: people.com