Double heart transplant recipient Compton, Every share lead at Greenbrier

Compton, Every shoot 63s at Greenbrier Classic

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Double heart transplant recipient Erik Compton shot a 7-under 63 in the inaugural Greenbrier Classic to share the first-round lead with rookie Matt Every.

Playing on a sponsor’s exemption, Compton made nine birdies, seven over a nine-hole stretch on the Old White course Thursday.

The 30-year-old Compton has made four cuts in six starts this season.

He was diagnosed at age 9 with a disease that inflames the heart and leaves it unable to pump as hard as it needs to. His first transplant came three years later and his second one came in 2008.

George McNeill, Pat Perez and Jeff Overton opened with 64s.