WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) Erik Compton is a walking billboard for organ donation and sheer determination.He's also
at the top of the Greenbrier Classic leaderboard.Playing on a late sponsor exemption, the 30-year-old double heart transplant
recipient shot a 7-under 63 on Thursday to share the first-round lead with rookie Matt Every in the inaugural tournament. Compton spent eight straight days doing yard work at home in Miami before he got the call Saturday to play in the tournament.
He's making the most of his late invite, overcoming a slow start with nine birdies on the Old White course."You know, some
guys miss six, seven cuts in a row and then win," Compton said. "I know I'm a good player, and I have a lot of the adversity
in front of me with the game and health. But I always feel like if I stick in there and keep trying, something eventually good
is going to happen."George McNeill, Pat Perez and Jeff Overton opened with 64s.Nearly all of the field hadn't played the
course before this week, but it wasn't a detriment - 24 players were at 4 under or better.While more than half of the field is
in jeopardy of missing the FedEx Cup playoffs and others are trying to secure spots in next month's PGA Championship at
Whistling Straits, Compton is taking it week by week, looking to solidify a future either on the PGA Tour or the Nationwide
With a 3rd heart, Compton shares Greenbrier lead
