A two-time heart transplant recipient is tied for the lead at an event that's built its image around health and healing, and finds himself on the verge of getting his first PGA Tour win.
Of course, Compton isn't the only guy in the running. Rookie Justin Thomas is also at -17, as are Bill Haas and Michael Putnam. None have yet won on "the Big Tour."
Last year's runner-up Ryan Palmer is just one shot off the lead, as is Matt Kuchar (along with some other players).
And lurking just three shots back is last year's winner Patrick Reed. I didn't even think he would be in the conversation after Friday's round found him twice that far behind.
The simple fact is that last year's total of -28 looks unlikely this year; that would take a 61 from the leaders. And while such scores aren't unheard-of on PGA West on a Sunday, there are rarely more than two and they usually come from someone farther back in the pack. No, it's looking more like -23 or -24 could do it.
And that's very much within Erik Compton's wheelhouse. He shot 66 on PGA West earlier this week and seems quite comfortable with himself, especially after his runner-up at the US Open last year:
“[I’m] probably more at ease with myself and not really feeling like I have to prove anything. Confidence is huge in this game.”Hey, the guy's survived two heart transplants. I'm not willing to bet against him today.
No comments:
Post a Comment