Erik Compton 2-over after the first round at AT&T National
Four years ago, Erik Compton was given a third life when he had a second heart transplant. Erik, a baseball lover, always had the passion to play baseball but his health never allowed him. He was suffering from viral cardiomyopathy, a disease which inflames
the heart.
The doctors told him that playing physically demanding sports will deteriorate his physical condition ever more. Compton always had severe heart issues, his first transplant took place when he was 12.
Back in 2008, he was suddenly rushed to the hospital from the golf course. Compton had a cardiac arrest and he was forced to undergo another transplant.
Since then, Compton has been advised extreme care. Moreover, he takes almost three dozen tablets on a daily basis, owing to his physical state.
Compton is currently playing his first season on the PGA Tour, and after the first round at the AT&T National, Compton is 2-over.
He shot 73 in the opening round and considering the heat and his health condition, this is decent enough an effort from the 32-year-old.
“It is unbelievable that he made it to the tour,” said Charlie DeLucca, Compton’s longtime coach. “It is more unbelievable that he is alive”.
This season, so far, Compton has played a total of 15 events on the PGA Tour and has managed to make the cut in 10 of them.
He has not managed a top-25 finish yet. Nevertheless, hats off to this guy who is playing with such medical disabilities.
In the opening round at the Congressional Golf and Country Club, Compton managed five birdies but he also scored seven bogeys, which pulled let him down the leaderboard.
Compton has all the support from his fans, family and the team. He also supports a non-profit organization which promotes the idea of donating organs.
“It is pretty gutsy,” added Kyle Stanley, one of Compton’s friends. “Golf is hard for most of us with one heart, and he is on his third and doing great. It is a remarkable story, very cool”.
Peter Compton, Erik’s father is proud of his son.
“He was very competitive,” said Peter Compton. “It was unfortunate this thing hit him right in his personality. He did find an outlet through the golf”.
Tags: