LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Erik Compton, who advanced through the first stage of PGA Tour qualifying just five months after his second heart transplant, was given an exemption Tuesday to play the final tour event of the year.
Compton, 28, received one of four sponsor exemptions to the Children's Miracle Network Classic at Disney World on Nov. 6-9.
It will be his first PGA Tour event in three years.
Compton received his first heart transplant at age 12 and became one of the top junior golfers, competing in the Walker Cup in 2001. He had his second transplant in May, but recovered in time to play the first of three stages of Q-school. In yet another remarkable rally, he closed with a 4-under 68 to tie for 23rd and advance to the second stage next month.
PGA Tour spokesman Ty Votaw said Compton would be allowed to use a cart during the Disney event, as he did during qualifying school. He will be the first player to use a cart on the PGA Tour since Casey Martin.
