twice

Twice a heart transplant recipient Erik Compton graduates from Nationwide to PGA Tour

Post on: 2011-11-02 By: admin

Twice a heart transplant recipient, Erik Compton graduates from Nationwide to PGA Tour
ByAssociated Press,
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Two-time heart transplant recipient Erik Compton earned a PGA Tour card when he finished in the top 25 on the Nationwide Tour money list, while Ken Duke won the season-ended Nationwide Tour Championship on Sunday to also secure a spot on the big tour.
Duke closed with a 4-under 68 to finish at 10 under on Daniel Island Club’s Ralston Creek Course, two better than Scott Brown. The 42-year-old Duke earned $180,000 and went from 36th to seventh on the money list.
Compton wasn’t sure he’d ever play pro golf, let alone be member of the PGA Tour.Yet the two-time heart transplant recipient finished off his dream Sunday. Compton mostly secured his spot in June when he won his first Nationwide title at the Mexico Open. He ended 13th overall with $239,737 to advance.The 31-year-old Compton has played 30 career PGA events, but none with a tour card in his bag. “It’s a miracle,” he said. “It really is a miracle what I’ve been able to achieve.”J.J. Killeen won the money title, which made him fully exempt on the PGA Tour and gave him entry into the The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in May.And the day ended with some drama as Brown made a long par-saving putt on the 17th and birdie on the 18th to finish alone in second when a bogey down the stretch would’ve dropped Billy Hurley III from the final qualifying spot at No. 25.Hurley, a former Naval lieutenant who was on active duty in the Persian Gulf guarding Iraqi oil platforms two years ago, hugged his wife when Brown’s last put dropped.James Nitties, who began the week in 23rd, fell to 26th, just outside what it took to join the PGA Tour.There were plenty of smiles and disappointments as loud, celebratory music blared from the clubhouse when the event was over. None of the triumphs, though, seemed as amazing as Compton’s rise from two heart transplants. He was diagnosed at age 9 with cardiomyopathy, an enlarging of the heart that deters its ability to pump blood. Three years later in 1992, Compton received a new heart. He needed another donor heart in 2008 when the first one failed.Compton took up golf after his first transplant as a way to exercise. It’s turned into much, much more. “This game has been such a rehab for life for me, where I could go out and not think about the issues I have,” he said.Compton had another setback this summer after playing in the PGA Tour’s ATT National last July when his body rejected his heart, something doctors got under control with additional medicine. He took several weeks off and struggled to find his earlier form until recently. His tie for 18th at Daniel Island was his best placing since the win in Mexico. “I came in here and just till the end I was pretty frustrated because I really wanted to play well and have a top finish,” Compton said. “At the end of the day, we’re all perfectionists.”Duke said he’s ready to take once again take on the challenges of the sport’s top series. He might want to circle any events played in South Carolina. Duke’s only other Nationwide victory came at the BMW Classic around Greenville in 2006. He lost in a playoff on this course a year later to Michael Sim when the event was the Palmetto Pride Classic. He’s already planning an early April stop in Hilton Head for next year’s RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links. “I knew I had some good memories here and I just had to be patient,” Duke said.That was good advice for everyone who sweatted out the final round with their futures on the line.Hurley was 25th when the tournament began, then bounced back and forth on the qualifying line as the round played out. He seemed destined for disappointment when as David Lingmerth worked his way into second place for a while, but bogeys on the 15th and 16th holes dropped him back into a tie for third — and gave Hurley the last spot by fewer than $6,000 over Nitties. “It was nice to see the cameras out there,” Hurley said. “I knew I was close.”Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
About Discussions, Badges
Most Recommended first
SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.
More about badges | Request a badge
Culture Connoisseur Badge
Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.
More about badges | Request a badge
Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.
More about badges | Request a badge
Washingtologist Badge
Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.
More about badges | Request a badge
This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.
Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.
More about badges | Request a badge
Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.
More about badges | Request a badge
World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.
More about badges | Request a badge
Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.
You must be logged in to report a comment.
You must be logged in to recommend a comment.
Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.
More about badgesGet a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused".If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.
Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.
Your Friends’ Most Recent Activity
Stats, scores and schedules
The Post Most: SportsMost-viewed stories, videos and galleries int he past two hours
Redskins claim RB Tashard Choice off waivers
Shanahans facing the flip side of keeping it in the family
Redskins back to basics in search of a cure for struggling offense
Should the Wizards use amnesty clause on Rashard Lewis?
Kansas City Chiefs beat San Diego Chargers, 23-20 in overtime, after Philip Rive
Terrapins tarnished with 28-17 loss to Boston College
D.C. sports fans: A look at the sports area residents follow and which teams the
Celebrity athletes and their high-profile breakups
No. 9 Wise stops C.H. Flowers, 21-20
NHL power rankings: Oct. 31
Tony La Russa on David Letterman Show
Romanian soccer players attacked by fans
Les Miles, Nick Saban preview LSU-Alabama game
Potomac School's Casey Mann will pursue soccer
Higher creek level a challenge for WCAC runners
Let Herman be gone: Opinion Focus with Eugene Robinson
Is 'In God We Trust' a good motto? (video)
Is 'In God We Trust' a good motto? (video)
ComPost Live with Alexandra Petri
Herman Cain -- what's next? The Fix Face-Off(video)
Tuesdays with Moron: Chatological Humor Update
Weekly schedule, past shows
Sign-up for e-mail newsletters and alerts and get the news you need delivered directly to your inbox.
See all Washington Post Newsletters
Connect with Post Sports
Facebook: Become a fan of PostSports
Facebook: Become a fan of PostSports
Twitter: Follow PostSports on Twitter!
RSS: Subscribe to one of our RSS news feed topics
Alerts: Sign up for our breaking news alerts
Mobile: Washington Post on the go
App Store: View our iPhone applications
Featured Advertiser Linksmesothelioma cancer shatters lives. Find out what to do before the killer strikes the one you love.Actos gave you bladder cancer? You may be entitled to compensation. Learn how to file an Actos lawsuit.Join Pres. Obama. It's time to do it again.Are you in? Join Barack Obama's campaign now.Help Pres. Obama keep moving America forward.Join the 2012 campaign at BarackObama.comLooking to buy a home? Visit TWP Real Estate section for the latest open houses.Make Your Vanguard Investing More Profitable - Free Research Report Reveals BestWorst Funds
Redskins claim RB Tashard Choice off waivers
Shanahans facing the flip side of keeping it in the family
Redskins back to basics in search of a cure for struggling offense
Should the Wizards use amnesty clause on Rashard Lewis?
Kansas City Chiefs beat San Diego Chargers, 23-20 in overtime, after Philip Rivers fumbles away a chance to win
West Virginia files lawsuit seeking immediate withdrawal from Big East
With Davey Johnson back, Nationals will be fun and fascinating
Big East big loser in conference realignment, while ACC comes out stronger than ever
Grady Sizemore will give the Nationals another centerfield option in free agency
Redskins are turning Sunday afternoons into a whole new ballgame
Washington Nationals name Davey Johnson manager for 2012 season
Kim Kardashian, Kris Humphries could have learned from Marilyn and Joe or Halle and David or ...
Kim Kardashian files for divorce from NBA player Kris Humphries 10 weeks after TV wedding
Washington Capitals search for answers on struggling penalty kill
Philadelphia Eagles have rebounded nicely after a 1-4 start, are back in playoff race
Tony La Russa leaves behind an unsurpassed and unique legacy
Corrections/Suggestions
The Washington Post Company
Student Advisor College Reviews
© 1996- The Washington Post
User Agreement and Privacy Policy

Rights and Permissions

Article original from: http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/othersports/golf/twice-a-heart-transplant-recipient-erik-compton-graduates-from-nationwide-to-pga-tour/2011/10/30/gIQATRAnWM_story.html?wprss=rss_sports