
Erik Compton was competing at the first stage of the PGA Tour qualifing event in Key Biscayne, Florida wearing the Maui Jim “Akoni” sunglass.
You may ask, “who is Erik Compton?” Well, Erik’s round of golf, and his story maybe just the best miracle story of the year. You see, Erik shot the low round of the day on a windy, blustery afternoon and somehow managed to grab the last spot to advance in first-stage PGA Tour qualifying at Crandon Golf Club. This feat was considered nearly impossible by all accounts by anyone, especially Erik who by his own words has stated ”I’ve been dead, twice”.
When Erik was 9 year old he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, an enlarging of the heart that hinders its ability to pump blood. Three years later in 1992 when he was 12, he received his first heart transplant. Unfortunately, Erik suffered a heart attack on Oct. 3, 2007, while playing golf and frantically drove himself from the golf course to the same hospital where he received his first transplant at age 12. His heart was running at 15 per cent capacity, his car was going full throttle and he was calling everybody he could to tell them he loved them and to say goodbye. Miraculously, he survived this attack and at the age of 28 he underwent his second heart transplant on May 20, only five months ago! That’s right, at only 28 years old he is on his third heart.
With only 5 months of rehab and training, Erik opened the 72-hole qualifying event with rounds of 76, 75 and 77. His total of 12 over par through 54 holes was seven shots higher than the final qualifying position, which includes the top 23 and ties. He was all but certain to fail to qualify, as it was truly a miracle that he even competed at all. He had already exceeded everyone expectations, except his own.
In terrible conditions, Erik started strong on the back nine making three birdies and added another at the par-4 second but was disappointed he could not get in with any more birdies. After signing for his 68, Erik figured he would miss the cutoff by one shot. Heartbreaking. But the pressure got to the rest of the field and sure enough, the qualifying number rose to 8 over. It had been 5 over through three rounds. Erik’s total of 296 was good for a seven-way tie for 23rd which advances him to the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament’s 90-hole, six-day final in California!
“Erik’s whole life is a miracle,” his mother, Eli Compton, said. “The things he has done defy common logic.” Erik has plenty more to look forward to than golf. His wife is due to give birth to a girl on Feb. 26, a date that has special meaning.


