Eric Compton

Height: 5 ft 8 in

Born: November 11, 1979

College: University of Georgia

Year Turned Pro: 2001

Birthplace: Miami, Florida

Sponsor: Titleist, Hugo Boss, Donate Life

Eric Compton is something of a medical marvel. At age 9, he discovered he suffered from viral cardio myopathy – a condition that inflames the heart muscle. Compton underwent heart transplant surgeries in both 1992 and again in 2008.

Through all those health issues as a teenager, Compton developed into the number one ranked junior player in the United States. He went on to play collegiate golf University of Georgia and represented the United States in both the Palmer Cup and Walker Cup.

Turning pro in 2001, Compton landed on the Nationwide Tour where he played both the 2001 and 2002 seasons. In 2004, Compton traveled north and competed on the PGA Canada Tour where he won two tournaments and was the year-end money leader.

For the next couple of years, he continued to bounce around between the Nationwide Tour, Canada and other smaller mini-tours. Finally, in 2011, Compton won the Mexican Open, a Nationwide Tour event. This win sparked a surge in his performance and he ended the year in 13th place on the Nationwide Tour money list, earning a card for the 2012 PGA season.

Compton made 16 of 26 cuts in 2012 but finished 163rd on the money list, narrowly losing his card for the 2013 campaign. Undeterred, Compton competed in the qualifying school tournament and retained his card with a 7th place finish.

Compton made the most of his second chance, recording his first PGA top five performance in 2013 with a tie for 4th at the Honda Classic. Compton won the 2013 PGA Tour Courage Award, previously called the Comeback Player of the Year Award. He also made enough money to keep his tour card for the 2014 season.

In 2014, Compton’s career reached another milestone as he finished runner up at the U.S. Open.