PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Erik Compton surged onto the leaderboard Thursday at the Honda Classic.
Compton, 32, feels like he’s playing a home game this week as he plays just 90 minutes from his Coral Gables home south of Miami. With Doral now host to a World Golf Championship that Compton hasn’t qualified to play, PGA National feels like his backyard event.
“I love this place, and I love playing in Florida,” Compton said after posting a 3-under-par 69 to move into a tie for 10th.
The two-time heart transplant recipient understands what kind of headlines he would generate if he can make a run at the title.
“I know my story is bigger than my game,” Compton said.
Compton is an inspiration to heart transplant recipients around the world, to organ-transplant recipients everywhere. He hears from them all the time and works with the transplant foundation his mother has devoted her life to.
“Part of me is chasing what nobody’s ever done,” Compton said.
-
Tags: Honda Classic, Erik Compton
Related Articles
Compton records career-best finish at Honda
by Will Gray | Mar 3, 2013 6:58 PM ETErik Compton fired a second straight round of even-par 70 Sunday, giving the heart transplant recipient his first career top-10 finish on the PGA Tour. Read More
Caddie stuffs it inside 5 feet to win 17th-hole contest
by Rex Hoggard | May 9, 2013 9:16 AM ETJames Walton’s tee shot at the par-3 17th stopped 4 ½ feet away from the hole on Wednesday to win the annual closet-to-the-pin caddie competition at TPC Sawgrass. Read More
Todd captures Web.com Tour's Stadion Classic
by Associated Press | May 5, 2013 4:46 PM ETFormer Bulldogs star Brendon Todd won the Web.com Tour's Stadion Classic on Sunday, when rain washed out the final round at the University of Georgia Golf Course. Read More
Mell, a senior writer, is a 30-year veteran and covers the PGA and LPGA tours for Golf Channel.
Latest News
- Garcia makes racist remark regarding Woods
- USGA, R&A ban anchored stroke | Explanation
- Infographic: What's legal, illegal | Timeline
- Video: Woods talks Garcia feud | Won't clear air
- Simpson takes to Twitter, calls for bifurcation
- Z. Johnson, Dufner reunited at Crowne Plaza
- Steele: Expect a player to sue USGA, R&A
- Uihlein's amazing journey | Tour on fans calling in
- Peterson to donate to Okla. tornado victims
- Pettersson asks for 'a few days' | Pavin's take
- Manufacturer: 'Golf lost today' | Time to adapt
- Weekly Fix: Exposing a great golf instruction myth
