On third heart, Erik Compton makes comeback to advance in PGA Tour qualifying

MIAMI (AP) -- Add another comeback to Erik Compton's remarkable story.

Five months after receiving his second heart transplant, Compton shot a 4-under 68 on Friday at Crandon Golf Club on Key Biscayne to advance to the second stage of the PGA Tour's qualifying tournament.

Battling gusty winds and light rain, Compton overcame a seven-shot deficit to turn in the best score of the day. He finished tied with six others for 23rd place to take the final qualifying spot.

"I'm jacked up. I'm excited. I'm almost in disbelief," Compton said. "Everybody counted me out, and I survived again."

Compton woke up at 6:30 a.m. and turned on the Golf Channel.

All the commentators had the same message: It was great that he was playing, but there was no way he could overcome seven strokes.

"It really motivated me," said Compton, who received special permission from the PGA Tour to use a golf cart and to continue taking banned anti-rejection pills. "People always want to count me out."

Compton made a 15-foot putt to save par on seven, his second to last hole. He made birdies on 2, 10, 14 and 17, and tapped in an easy putt on nine to end his day.

Then came the wait.

With winds still gusting more than 25 mph on the course, Compton sat with friends and family in the clubhouse and watched as others struggled. When the news came in that he had qualified, Compton's father, Peter, was so overcome with emotion he had to leave.