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Why Erik Compton’s tie for second in US Open is an astonishing feat Why Erik Compton’s tie for second in US Open is an astonishing feat
(about 4 hours later)
If the golfing story to emanate from the 114th US Open was clearly Martin Kaymer, there is an equal lack of dispute about the human tale. For Erik Compton to be playing in a golfing major at 34, let alone finishing in a tie for second, genuinely is in the realms of the extraordinary.If the golfing story to emanate from the 114th US Open was clearly Martin Kaymer, there is an equal lack of dispute about the human tale. For Erik Compton to be playing in a golfing major at 34, let alone finishing in a tie for second, genuinely is in the realms of the extraordinary.
In the aftermath of events at Pinehurst, Compton offered some astonishing detail about the two heart scares which have endangered his life. He received transplants both as a 12-year-old child and, later, in 2008 on account of suffering from a highly rare heart condition where the organ inflames beyond the point where it can properly operate. In the aftermath of events at Pinehurst, Compton offered some astonishing detail about the two heart scares that have endangered his life. He received transplants both as a 12-year-old child and, later, in 2008 on account of suffering from a highly rare heart condition where the organ inflames beyond the point where it can operate properly.
Compton’s recollections of the first of those operations are still vivid. “As a kid I was conscious they were going to open my chest and I was on my way to Jackson Memorial Hospital with my dad,” he explained. “That was the start of it all really. The things that happened in 1992 were the beginning of it all and it was almost a case of becoming a man at 12 years old. Compton’s recollections of the first of those operations are still vivid. “As a kid I was conscious they were going to open my chest and I was on my way to Jackson Memorial hospital with my dad,” he explained. “That was the start of it all really. The things that happened in 1992 were the beginning of it all and it was almost a case of becoming a man at 12 years old.
“When somebody tells you they are going to take your heart out and put a new one in, the long-term prognosis wasn’t very good. They said four-five years and then they would revisit it again.”“When somebody tells you they are going to take your heart out and put a new one in, the long-term prognosis wasn’t very good. They said four-five years and then they would revisit it again.”
He added: “When I was in Jackson I could hear the helicopter land [carrying the replacement heart]. I think it was hard as a kid because any kind of surgery as a 12-year-old, you are freaking out. The idea of having open heart surgery was more scary than the life-threatening deal of it.”He added: “When I was in Jackson I could hear the helicopter land [carrying the replacement heart]. I think it was hard as a kid because any kind of surgery as a 12-year-old, you are freaking out. The idea of having open heart surgery was more scary than the life-threatening deal of it.”
Fast forward to Sunday and Compton is one of only three players under par at one of golf’s most prominent events. Amazing in itself, without what else came in between: six years ago, Compton was consigned to the operating table once again.Fast forward to Sunday and Compton is one of only three players under par at one of golf’s most prominent events. Amazing in itself, without what else came in between: six years ago, Compton was consigned to the operating table once again.
“I had just missed a cut and was fed up and wanted to come home and fish,” he remembered. “I came home, took the canoe out and I could feel I had some pain in my back.“I had just missed a cut and was fed up and wanted to come home and fish,” he remembered. “I came home, took the canoe out and I could feel I had some pain in my back.
“The next day I took my bike out, I had two flat tyres so I walked it all the way back about 10 miles. Then I went back to the golf course and thought something is not right. I remember leaning over and I then drove myself to the hospital. “The next day I took my bike out, I had two flat tyres so I walked it all the way back about 10 miles. Then I went back to the golf course and thought: ‘Something is not right.’ I remember leaning over and I then drove myself to the hospital.
“That is when I started coughing up blood right there at the front of the hospital room. I grabbed somebody and said ‘I am going to die here you need to get me in.’ They carried me into the emergency room and that is when the doctors thought I didn’t have much of a chance. I ended up getting out of there.” “That is when I started coughing up blood right there at the front of the hospital room. I grabbed somebody and said: ‘I am going to die here, you need to get me in.’ They carried me into the emergency room and that is when the doctors thought I didn’t have much of a chance. I ended up getting out of there.”
Not, however, without serious short-term pain. “I knew it was my last resort,” Compton said. “I was prepared if I was going to die on the table. I thought ‘hey I am going to be gone anyways, I just won’t know the difference.’ Not, however, without serious short-term pain. “I knew it was my last resort,” Compton said. “I was prepared if I was going to die on the table. I thought: ‘Hey, I am going to be gone anyways, I just won’t know the difference.’
“I was tired of sitting in a chair and not being able to breathe at night. It sucks, I was an old man at 28. I couldn’t breathe. I was coughing up blood from the heart not working. I was like get me out of here. I was excited when they gave me the call, when I woke up from the surgery I thought ‘what did I put myself through?’ I had 17 test tubes in my body.” “I was tired of sitting in a chair and not being able to breathe at night. It sucks, I was an old man at 28. I couldn’t breathe. I was coughing up blood from the heart not working. I was like: ‘Get me out of here.’ I was excited when they gave me the call, when I woke up from the surgery I thought: ‘What did I put myself through?’ I had 17 test tubes in my body.’”
In 2010, Compton competed in his first major. Last weekend was his second. This would be seriously eye-catching stuff in any walk of life, but for Compton to emerge to the extent that he can finish second in a major championship is incomparable. Had he won at Pinehurst, we may well have witnessed the greatest sporting story of all time. In 2010, Compton competed in his first major. Last weekend was his second. This would be seriously eye-catching stuff in any walk of life but for Compton to emerge to the extent that he can finish second in a major championship is incomparable. Had he won at Pinehurst, we may well have witnessed the greatest sporting story of all time.
Still, there is the consolation of more than $1.5m banked already this season. Compton has three top 10 finishes in that spell, with 14 cuts out of a possible 20 made. Still, there is the consolation of more than $1.5m banked already this season. Compton has three top-10 finishes in that spell, with 14 cuts out of a possible 20 made.
He also has medical permission to use a golf cart in professional events. He declines: “I don’t want anyone to think I have an advantage on them.”He also has medical permission to use a golf cart in professional events. He declines: “I don’t want anyone to think I have an advantage on them.”
It seems cruel to ask Compton how long he may live. He was posed that one anyway. “It is a tough question,” he replied. “I don’t really care right now. I am in the now right now.It seems cruel to ask Compton how long he may live. He was posed that one anyway. “It is a tough question,” he replied. “I don’t really care right now. I am in the now right now.
“Whether I have 15 minutes to make it to the hospital or not I am not going to sit here and dwell how much time I have left. Nobody knows. It is easier going through life not knowing. You have to enjoy your life.”“Whether I have 15 minutes to make it to the hospital or not I am not going to sit here and dwell how much time I have left. Nobody knows. It is easier going through life not knowing. You have to enjoy your life.”
Bizarrely, Compton’s Pinehurst heroics weren’t sufficient to win him a place at the Open Championship. Regardless of who finishes second in the second major of the year, that seems a highly curious circumstance.Bizarrely, Compton’s Pinehurst heroics weren’t sufficient to win him a place at the Open Championship. Regardless of who finishes second in the second major of the year, that seems a highly curious circumstance.
Compton could still make it to Royal Liverpool via the upcoming Quicken Loans, Greenbrier and John Deere events on the PGA Tour. There can be no doubt the tournament would be a better place for any appearance from golf’s most remarkable modern-day competitor.Compton could still make it to Royal Liverpool via the upcoming Quicken Loans, Greenbrier and John Deere events on the PGA Tour. There can be no doubt the tournament would be a better place for any appearance from golf’s most remarkable modern-day competitor.
KAYMER’S CURIOUSLY SLOW RISE UP RANKINGSKAYMER’S CURIOUSLY SLOW RISE UP RANKINGS
It seems harsh to criticise the formula which dictates world ranking positions. Not only is there actually no perfect system, but other sports – namely football – have a farcical format of their own. It seems harsh to criticise the formula that dictates world ranking positions. Not only is there actually no perfect system, but other sports – such as football – have a farcical format of their own.
This year, though, has already thrown up some uncomfortable anomalies. Adam Scott could have risen to No1 in the world without competing in the Players Championship. When Scott competed, it was something of a mess to decipher what he, Henrik Stenson and Bubba Watson had to do between them to topple Tiger Woods from the ranking summit.This year, though, has already thrown up some uncomfortable anomalies. Adam Scott could have risen to No1 in the world without competing in the Players Championship. When Scott competed, it was something of a mess to decipher what he, Henrik Stenson and Bubba Watson had to do between them to topple Tiger Woods from the ranking summit.
On Monday, it was confirmed that Martin Kaymer had risen from 28th to 11th. A decent enough leap. However, it seems slightly odd that a player can win the Players Championship and US Open in back-to-back calendar months and still not be deemed worthy of a place in the world’s top 10.On Monday, it was confirmed that Martin Kaymer had risen from 28th to 11th. A decent enough leap. However, it seems slightly odd that a player can win the Players Championship and US Open in back-to-back calendar months and still not be deemed worthy of a place in the world’s top 10.
In fact, in the current context – which is presumably what rankings should be all about – there is a decent argument to say Kaymer is No1. In fact, in the current context – which is presumably what rankings should be all about – there is a decent argument to say that Kaymer is No1.
CADDIE HACKSCADDIE HACKS
When it comes to books about caddying, the undisputed leader in the clubhouse is the former Guardian golf correspondent Lawrence Donegan’s superb Four Iron for the Soul. That title is as relevant – and discussed – in golfing circles now as it was upon release almost two decades ago.When it comes to books about caddying, the undisputed leader in the clubhouse is the former Guardian golf correspondent Lawrence Donegan’s superb Four Iron for the Soul. That title is as relevant – and discussed – in golfing circles now as it was upon release almost two decades ago.
However, it was pleasing to see a paperback copy of An American Caddie in St Andrews by Oliver Horovitz drop through the letterbox a few days before the long flight to Pinehurst.However, it was pleasing to see a paperback copy of An American Caddie in St Andrews by Oliver Horovitz drop through the letterbox a few days before the long flight to Pinehurst.
This book was far from a disappointment. Horovitz perfectly captures not just his experiences as a caddie, but the distinct elements of the university town itself. It is an easy read, very enjoyable, and about far more than golf.This book was far from a disappointment. Horovitz perfectly captures not just his experiences as a caddie, but the distinct elements of the university town itself. It is an easy read, very enjoyable, and about far more than golf.