![]() ![]() Those words weren’t hyperbole, and certainly don’t just apply to him playing golf. “I’ve got more pressure experience in my life in the field combined,” Compton said. He has fought and fought and fought since, and an opening round of 1-under 69 at the Honda Classic on Thursday was yet another reminder that he’s made a career out of defying absurdly long odds.Īnd Friday's second round of 12-over was a reminder of how tough things can be for Compton. 26, 1992, when Compton - then 12 - got the first of two heart transplants, needed after he was diagnosed with viral cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart becomes inflamed and cannot effectively pump blood. Instead, he’ll have to settle for it being the 30th anniversary of his getting a second chance at life. He didn't make the cut at the Honda Classic, meaning he won't be playing a third round at PGA National. (AP) - Erik Compton is going to have a great Saturday, even without playing golf. All rights reserved.PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information / Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. ^ Back to Top ^ © 2023 ESPN Internet Ventures. "I'm going to have to go out and work and get good again, get my body in shape, and that's going to take some time, for sure."ĮSPN.com golf writer Bob Harig contributed to this report. "Nobody's going to hand me anything," Compton told GolfWorld in the beginning of September. "Hopefully, I'll get stronger and stronger."įor now, he's not strong enough to compete while walking the course. "I've been busting my butt in the gym," Compton said, according to the newspaper. With his second new heart in his chest, Compton has begun playing golf and working out, trying to regain the strength the operation sapped. He's now the golf coach at the University of Oregon. In 2001, he won his suit that went to the Supreme Court which allowed him to use a cart under the Americans With Disabilities Act. He earned his PGA Tour card for 2000 by finishing 14th on the Nike money list in 1999 but failed to keep his card. He played the Nike Tour in 1998 (won a tournament) and tied for 23rd at the U.S. While his case went through the courts, Martin was granted the right to use a cart at the 1997 Q-school. A birth defect in his leg prevented him from walking the course, but he had to sue the tour to use a cart. The Compton case stands in sharp contrast to that of Casey Martin. He was about to go home with a nurse that would provide 24-hour care when a new heart became available. In May, he was hospitalized again for observation and given medication to help his heart function. He was stabilized, but it was only a matter of time before he would need a new heart. Then in October 2007, Compton suffered a near-fatal heart attack while fishing. Transplanted hearts last an average of 11 years, but his survived for 16. Heart disease caused Compton to have a heart transplant at age 12. 1 junior golfer who won on the Canadian and Hooters Tours and played on the Nationwide Tour.Ĭompton told the newspaper that he has also been granted a waiver to use a beta blocker, which is on the PGA Tour's list of banned substances, because he needs it as part of his medication protocol. 21-24 at Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne, Fla. "It takes a lot of stress off me, and it gives me a realistic chance."Ĭompton, 28, will play the first stage of qualifying from Oct. "I feel really good about the news," Compton said, according to the Sun-Sentinel. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel first reported the story Tuesday on its Web site. Just four months after the second heart transplant of his life, the former Georgia All-American learned that officials have granted his request to use a cart during qualifying school to earn his tour card. So the PGA Tour is going to help him out. You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browserĬompton allowed to use cart in Q-school after heart transplantĮrik Compton has the heart.
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