7-year-old golf champ uses the sport to battle cystic fibrosis

By Sarah Ward via SWNS

A 7-year-old golf champ uses the sport to battle cystic fibrosis - and is competing internationally despite taking 50 tablets a day.

Fraizer Harris took up golf nearly three years ago, during the first lockdown, after his dad Jermaine, 34, got him into the sport.

Dad-of-two Jermaine spotted the toddler's aptitude at teeing off from the moment he picked up a toy golf club.

He then got a junior golf club and some putts for the garden in Caerphilly, near Cardiff.

The pair enjoy watching golf vids together and Fraizer idolises Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

Last year Fraizer came sixth out of 30 kids at the European Championships, in East Lothian, Scotland.

He also took part in the U.S. Kids' World Golf Championships in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and will compete in both of those later this year.

Fraizer will also compete in Wales, southwest England and was nominated for Principality Child of Wales Awards on March 24, at Mercure Holland House Hotel in Cardiff.

Jermaine said: "I'm quite busy but play to a decent standard.

"When Fraizer was a toddler he messed around with plastic clubs.

"In the first lockdown, we were in the garden all the time and I noticed he had a good swing.

"He was hitting the ball every time.

"We ordered him some junior clubs and put putts down.

"One evening he saw me watching the golf championships on TV and he said 'I want to do that'."

Fraizer has lessons twice a week and practices at home every evening.

In the summer, he practices at a golf course twice a week.

Golf helps manage cystic fibrosis due to the benefits of exercise and fresh air.

He has to wear a physiotherapy mask to clear his lungs before teeing off.

Jermaine said: "He practices every day as much as his health permits.

"This year we have two U.S. kids' competitions and one in southwest England and one in Wales.

"In the European championships in Scotland last year he came sixth out of 30 and was the youngest in his age range.

"It's about having as normal a life as possible.

"We are so proud of him.

"He's overcome so much.

"The treatment has moved on so much from when he was born when the average life expectancy was 37.

"We were told it would impact his chest and lungs, and he would struggle to put on weight.

"He goes to a mainstream school."