#Erik compton heart transplant upgrade

To finish the round under par, I thought was a really good effort.' 'I was just like, 'Here we go again.' But I hung in there well, and proud of myself for the way I just fought back. 'It wasn't the start I wanted to get off to, being 4 over through three holes, especially after the last few weeks,' McIlroy said. The next 15 holes were much better, and he rallied for a 71. He blasted onto the green and took two putts for a 7, and there were murmurs from the crowd to see him at 4-over par so early. 1 ranking and ramped up the scrutiny, McIlroy took a quadruple bogey on his third hole of the tournament when he went from the bunker to the water, back over the pond to the drop area on a forward tee, and then into another bunker. It could have been another bad week for McIlroy.Ĭoming off back-to-back missed cuts that cost him his No. To be able to play here, regardless of whether I play good or bad, it's just always a nice week.' 'For me, there's not a day that goes by that I don't think about my donor. 'It's just a great story, obviously, and it's a great place - for me, it's a special place,' Compton said. He had his first heart transplant at 12, played in the Walker Cup after a solid career at Georgia, nearly died from a heart attack on his way home from the golf course in 2007, had a second transplant in May 2008, and earned his PGA Tour card for the first time last year through the Nationwide Tour. When the day ended, Scott Stalling was atop the leaderboard with a 66 and hardly anyone noticed.Ĭompton has been an amazing story as long as he has played golf. The opening round was even sweeter with three birdies on the back nine late Thursday afternoon at Muirfield Village for a 5-under 67, leaving him one-shot out of the lead after a day that featured a timely rally by Rory McIlroy and a surprising departure by Phil Mickelson. All rights reserved.Erik Compton considers the Memorial a special week no matter how he plays, knowing his second heart transplant came from a donor in Ohio. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information / Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. ^ Back to Top ^ © 2023 ESPN Internet Ventures. 'With his perseverance and courage, along with the charitable work he has done to encourage organ donation, he's a very fitting recipient of the inaugural PGA Tour Courage Award.' 'Erik's story is a remarkable one in the fact he has overcome extraordinary odds to not only survive, but thrive,' PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said. Compton said the money would be split between the Cardiovascular Institute of Miami and the Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation. The award includes a $25,000 donation to the charity of the winner's choice. I'm incredibly grateful for this award and blessed to have the opportunity to be playing on the PGA Tour.' It has given me something to work toward, but also something to hope for. 'Not only has playing on tour been a dream of mine, but it has also served greatly in the healing process. 'Through the help of family, doctors and friends, I have gone from being someone lying on his back in recovery to someone walking the fairways of the PGA Tour,' Compton said. Compton still managed to make it to the PGA Tour, and this year made it through two FedEx Cup playoff events. He had a heart attack in 2008 and required a second transplant. He was diagnosed at age 9 with viral cardiomyopathy and had his first heart transplant three years later in 1992. It's hard to find a better candidate than Compton.

'When you guys did call and let me know that I was awarded the Courage Award, I actually walked around the block and had a moment to myself. 'It's a very special moment for me,' Compton said. The PGA Tour Courage Award is for players who have overcome extraordinary adversity to make meaningful contributions to golf. Two-time heart transplant recipient Erik Compton won the inaugural PGA Tour Courage Award on Wednesday.

#Erik compton heart transplant upgrade

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