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

circuit.

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