Erik Compton

Updated: March 06, 2009, 19:59 PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.(AP) Erik Compton gave the gallery a polite wave when he reached the 18th green Friday afternoon, so the kid who shuffled alongside him did the same thing. When Compton shot his arms skyward as his final putt dropped for birdie, the kid did that, too. And Compton fought through fatigue to walk 18 holes, so the kid somehow managed to do it with him. A few days ago, Compton had never heard of John Paul George, a 14-year-boy who doctors said should have never been born. John Paul - named for a pope, not The ... Read Full Story

Updated: March 05, 2009, 19:20 PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.(AP) Robert Allenby has contended at the Honda Classic each of the last two years, so it's no surprise for him to be atop the leaderboard at PGA National. Erik Compton's day, however, was far from expected. Allenby shot a 4-under 66 Thursday to take a one-shot lead after the opening round at PGA National, surviving a day when the wind blew flags straight and the only solace for players was receptive greens. He had a tap-in on the par-4 ninth - his final hole - to break away from what was an eight-way tie for ... Read Full Story

Updated: November 03, 2009, 17:21 LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.(AP) Erik Compton, the golfer with two heart transplants, has received another exemption into the Children's Miracle Network Classic at Disney next week. Compton also received an exemption last year and tied for 60th. He was allowed to ride in a cart, just five months after his second transplant. Tournament chairman Kevin Weickel says Compton will be walking this year. Compton received the exemption Tuesday, a week after he was medalist by seven shots in the first stage of Q-school. The tournament is Nov. 12-15, the final event on the PGA Tour schedule. Read Full Story

Updated: October 24, 2009, 19:04 PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.(AP) Erik Compton has made it through the first stage of PGA Tour qualifying without any drama, shooting a 66 to win his site by seven shots. Compton was among 22 players at PGA Golf Club who advanced Saturday to the second stage. There are 13 sites in the opening stage of Q-school, in which nearly 1,000 players compete for about 25 PGA Tour cards. Among those who failed to advance were Gary Nicklaus, the 40-year-old son of Jack Nicklaus, and Sam Saunders, the grandson of Arnold Palmer. Also failing were Tadd Fujikawa and former U.S. ... Read Full Story

American transplant golfer Erik Compton's brave bid to make the cut at the Dubai Desert Classic ended in failure on Saturday. Eight months after undergoing a second heart transplant, he received a sponsor's invitation to play in the European Tour event and travelled all the way from his home in Miami to take part. He gave himself hope of making the cut with an opening one-under 71 on Thursday but a three-over 75 on Saturday wrecked his chances. Diagnosed at age nine with cardiomyopathy, an enlarging of the heart that hinders its ability to pump blood, Compton had his first transplant at 12 years ... Read Full Story