An added benefit to working at a newspaper is the fascinating things you learn.

Presumably golf fans already knew this, but I did not.

The man who finished in a tie for second at the U.S. Open this year has had two heart transplants.

Erik Compton is living with his third heart. But he has survived and thrived at his avocation.

Which I somehow had not noticed until Steve Elling of The National staff did a comprehensive piece on him for the newspaper today.

The National’s sports section is doing a series on beating-the-odds achievements. Like Afghanistan becoming a competent soccer-playing nation. How the UAE developed one of the best ice hockey teams in Asia.

How Erik Compton plays at an elite level of golf despite having his second heart transplant only six years ago.

The story shows us a man who has come to terms with his condition, and is keenly aware of how fortunate he has been to receive two healthy hearts from young people who died in accidents.

He had his first transplant when he was 12, and it gave him the strength to become a collegiate golfer, and then a pro.

However, he nearly died in 2008, when his first donated heart broke down. Apparently, that happens; transplanted hearts don’t go as long as those most of us were born with.

He had a heart attack, and got a second transplant. He says that when he regained consciousness he counted 74 intravenous devices attached to his body.

After he and Rickie Fowler finished second to Martin Kaymer at the U.S. Open in June (albeit eight shots back), not much was made of Compton’s medical history. Those inside the game know about it.

And Compton has long since come to terms with it. If he is going to be a professional golfer, he cannot afford to be dwelling on his health when lining up a birdie putt.

He told The National that from time to time he is reminded of how fortunate he has been — once we get past just how unfortunate he was to cardiomyopathy, in the first place.

“There are times where I get emotional,” he said. “I look over and see the crowd and see my name on the leaderboard and know what I’ve been through.”

His is a one-of-a-kind story, and worth a read.

Here is the link again.