DORAL — The PGA Tour's annual stop at Doral's Blue Monster has been one of Erik Compton's favorite weeks of the year. He played in the event on four occasions, making the cut each time.
But while the world's best golfers were getting in practice rounds Tuesday for this week's CA Championship at Doral, Compton was undergoing major heart surgery for the second consecutive day at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.
Compton, who became the first heart-transplant patient to play professional golf, had a defibrillator implanted in his heart Tuesday. The surgery became necessary after doctors performed an angioplasty Monday. "Erik is not doing OK," said Doral director of golf instruction Jim McLean, a close friend of Compton's. "He had a big operation (Monday) ,and now he has to have a bigger one today to stabilize his heart. Once this is done, he'll go on the list to receive another heart." Compton, 28, had a heart transplant when he was 12 and took up golf as part of his rehabilitation. Compton, who was born in Miami and still lives there, became the top U.S. junior golfer and was an All-America at the University of Georgia before turning professional and playing primarily on the Nationwide Tour. Compton suffered a heart attack Sept. 27 after going to the hospital because of pain between his shoulders. He was stricken while filling out forms to get into the emergency room. Compton recently has been working as a teacher at International Links Miami-Melreese Golf Course. His future in golf is unknown. "Right now he just wants to live," McLean said. "He has lost a lot of weight recently. He doesn't know what direction his life will take him." McLean had some of the top golfers at the CA Championship sign a get-well card that he planned to deliver to Compton in his hospital room Tuesday night. Aaron Baddeley, who was raised in Australia, wrote: "Mate, keep fighting and believing. You are an inspiration how strong you are. I look forward to you getting out here. I will be praying for you." Adam Scott, another Australian, wrote: "Stay tough, mate, Looking forward for you getting out here again with that pure swing." McLean said Compton recently won a small tournament in Miami at Melreese, where he shot a 66. "That just shows you how much talent he has," McLean said. "He hasn't played much golf at all recently, and he's still able to win a tournament like that. He is such a battler."
