U.S. Open qualifier: Compton wins final Open berth

Two-time heart transplant recipient qualifies with playoff win at Springfield Country Club.

Spectators watch golfers during the U. S. Open Sectional Qualifier at the Springfield Country Club, Monday, June 7. Staff photo by Marshall Gorby

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By David Jablonski, Staff Writer Updated 7:02 AM Tuesday, June 8, 2010

SPRINGFIELD — Erik Compton hugged his wife for a good 30 seconds on the 12th green at Springfield Country Club. Then the emotion got to him. He put his head in his hands and took a few moments, trying to comprehend his accomplishment.

It’s hard to measure heart, but you can at least quantify Compton’s — he’s had three. He underwent his first heart transplant when he was 12 in 1992. In 2008, he underwent another.

Compton tested his third heart and the heart of everyone in the gallery on the third playoff hole of a U.S. Open Sectional qualifier on Monday, June 7. Compton’s par beat Ohio State senior Brad Wright’s bogey to secure a berth in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach beginning June 17.

No golfer who has undergone a heart transplant — much less two — has ever played in one of golf’s four majors.

“What I’ve been through in the last few years,” said Compton, 30, of Coral Gables, Fla., “to come out here and make it in a playoff, it’s fitting for my story.”

Compton had just shot an 82 on Sunday in the final round of the Memorial Tournament in Dublin. That left him with a last-place finish among players who made the cut.

“When I walked off Muirfield, I said I wasn’t good enough to play, not because of my talent, but because of my physical condition,” Compton said. “I didn’t sleep last night. I thought about not playing this tournament because I didn’t think I could do it. I proved myself wrong. It’s a big deal. I’ve won golf tournaments before, but it’s not as special as this.”

Compton entered the playoff with Wright and Seung-Yul Noh, an 18-year-old South Korean. Noh birdied No. 10 to earn his berth. Compton and Wright each birdied 11, and then Wright won on 12.

Brian Davis, of England, won the first qualifying spot with rounds of 67 and 64 (131 total), four better than the three golfers who went to the playoff. Davis is ranked 73rd in the world and has two runner-up finishes on the PGA Tour this year.

“I hadn’t seen the course at all,” Davis said. “It was in excellent condition. A fun layout. Six or seven of the greens were a bit too severe.”

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Congratulations Eric! You exemplify the good that can come from someone making the decision to be an organ donor! Best wishes for continued good health and success on the golf course!

Cathi
10:59 AM, 6/25/2010

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Congratulations!!! I am sure you have lived a hard life and overcame many hardships. Be proud of your accomplishments, you deserve some good news in your life. GOOD JOB!!!

Debi
8:28 PM, 6/8/2010

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