Miami’s Erik Compton shot a 3-over-par 75 Wednesday in the second round of a first-stage PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament event at Crandon Golf Course on Key Biscayne.
Compton, aiming to earn a PGA Tour card five months after his second heart transplant, stands at 7-over 151, tied for 55th.
He needs to finish among the top 23 and ties after four rounds to advance to second stage. He’s five shots off a score needed to move on.
Chip Sullivan of Troutville, Va., shot 2-under 70 to move to 4-under 140, good for a tie for the top spot with Argentina’s Cesar Costilla (71). Sarasota’s Joey Lamielle (71), Andy Pope (68) of Glen Ellyn, Ill., and Will Dodson (69) of Dallas are one shot back.
Bobby Collins (70) and Adam Betz (73), both of Palm Beach Gardens, are at 142. Miami’s James Vargas (69) is tied for ninth at 143. Piri Borja (71) of Coral Springs is tied for 16th. Orlando’s Ty Tryon, the former teen sensation, shot 72 and is tied for 19th with Del Ponchock (73) of West Palm Beach.
The Key Biscayne event is among 12 first-stage qualifiers being staged around the nation. Six second-stage events begin in three weeks with the final stage scheduled Dec. 3-8 at PGA West in LaQuinta, Calif.
