Former Bulldog tied for new event's lead

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. --- 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 and former University of Georgia golfer shot 7-under-par 63 on Thursday to share the first-round lead with rookie Matt Every in the inaugural tournament.

Compton spent eight consecutive 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.

Compton is taking it week by week, looking to solidify a future either on the PGA Tour or the Nationwide circuit.

A few years ago, it wasn't looking so bright.

Compton was diagnosed with viral cardiomyopathy at age 9. The disease inflames the heart and leaves it unable to pump as hard as it needs to. His first transplant came three years later and another occurred in 2008.

He didn't think he'd play golf again and even sold his equipment after the second transplant. But his health improved quickly and he returned to the game within weeks.

This season he's made four cuts in seven starts.

WOMEN'S BRITISH OPEN: In Southport, England, Yani Tseng shot 4-under-par 68 in the opening round at Royal Birkdale, and is tied for the lead as she pursues her third major championship.

The rising star from Taiwan shot a bogey-free round that included a birdie and an eagle on the two finishing holes, putting her in a tie for the lead with Australian Katherine Hull.

Anne-Lise Caudal, of France, took the early lead with a round of 3-under 69, and she was matched later in the day by South Korea's Kim Lang and Sun Young Yoo, along with Brittany Lincicome, of the United States.

IRISH OPEN: In Killarney, Ireland, England's David Howell showed a long overdue return to form as he shot 7-under-par 64 to take the first-round lead at the Irish Open on Thursday.

The 35-year-old former Ryder Cup player has slumped to 479th in the world after reaching No. 9 in 2006.