Compton takes heart in 63

Erik Compton made the most of a sponsor's exemption to fire a sizzling 63 in the opening round of the Greenbrier Classic.

The American overcame two bogeys in his first three holes to card a seven-under score on the Old White Course in White Sulphur Springs.

Compatriot Matt Every sits alongside him at the top of the leaderboard having managed an eagle and four birdies in his bogey-free round.

A two-time heart transplant patient, Compton is making just his seventh start on the PGA Tour this year. He only found out five days ago that he would be taking part in the event in West Virginia.

Gardening work

"I was doing gardening work for about eight days so I hadn't touched a club," he said on his late call-up.

"So I went and practiced the next morning and then flew out here. It probably did me some good, because I had been pushing myself since the US Open."

Compton was diagnosed with an enlarged heart as a child and underwent his first transplant at the age of 12. He had a second operation in 2008.

The 30-year-old from Florida and Every sit one clear of a group of three players - American trio George McNeil, Patt Perez and Jeff Overton all carding 64's.

Zimbabwe's Brendon de Jonge, Aron Price of Australia and Americans Charles Howell III, John Rollins and Mark Bettencourt are a further shot back.

Swede Richard S Johnson, fresh off his victory on home soil in the Scandinavian Masters last week, is the leading European in a tie for 11th.

Sergio Garcia of Spain is alongside Englishman Greg Owen on two under par. However Brian Davis had a day to forget, carding a four-over-par 74.