Indomitable Compton shows true meaning of heart

There have been a lot of "before and now" comparisons in Erik Compton’s life, let alone golf career, but as television audiences in the US found out on Saturday evening, no mention of the latter can avoid the context of the former.

Compton, 34, had just carded a three-under-par 67 at the US Open, one of only two sub-par rounds during the third round at Pinehurst No.2, to take his place in a tie for second with Rickie Fowler, five shots behind leader Martin Kaymer heading into yesterday’s final round.

It bore obvious comparison with his only previous Major championship appearance, which had been a missed cut at the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach and NBC interviewer Steve Sands understandably made it, asking the Floridian to compare his current comfort level to four years ago.