Double heart transplant recipient Erik Compton says he understands his golf game will never get the same amount of media play as his health.
Compton received his first heart transplant as a child after he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. His second came just two years ago, and he was been an irregular fixture on the golfing circuit since.
After carding the lowest round of his career on Thursday, a scintillating seven-under 63 in the first round of the Greenbrier Classic, Compton graciously responded to questions about his health and stamina, saying he understands the curiosity it provokes.
"I wouldn't say I walk around scared," he said.
"If you do that, you'll shoot 85 in a heartbeat out here. You know, it is what it is. I mean, I've had to deal with death several times. I would say you get scared when you're in a situation like that."
"But day to day, I'm just enjoying the time and the good round that I had today. It's obviously different because I shoot seven-under and now we're talking about my health. And that is a bigger story than even if I shot 59, the fact that I'm playing out here with two transplants."
"In the past I was maybe a little bit in denial about that, but I know it's a bigger story. It affects so many people."'
The 30-year-old surprised many last month by qualifying for the US Open, his first major appearance, although he admits that he struggled with both the physically-demanding Pebble Beach course and the media attention.
His story gained plenty of traction after the Open, with a multitude of media appearances and even an HBO camera crew following him around. Compton channelled that attention into increasing awareness for organ donation.
"It's been great that the tournament directors and people have taken an interest in my story," he said.
"And being able to help the community, visit the hospitals, and do whatever I can for the kids, you know, it's amazing how many people have reached out to me since the Open that have disabilities, that have lost loved ones, have been organ donors or recipients."
"It's just a great feeling to know that when I play, that I can maybe help somebody else get out of bed and push themselves to lead a normal life."
Compton has played in just six Tour events this season, his best finish being a tie for 30th at Bay Hill. He was gardening at his home in Miami and hadn't touched a club in eight days when he found out he had been given a sponsor's exemption to play the Old White.
Asked if he was surprised by how well he played given his lack of preparation, he replied: "No."
"You know, golf is a funny game," he said.
"The last three weeks, even though I have been playing on sponsor's invites and I am a two-time heart transplant recipient and I'm supposed to miss cuts and shoot bad scores, it wasn't really the way it was playing out. I was getting some bad breaks, and it was hard to take advantage of plugged lies and things like that."
"Some guys miss six, seven cuts in a row and then win. 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