The Loop

Erik Compton a father

February 24, 2009

Erik Compton, who underwent his second heart transplant last May and played in the PGA Tour's Children's Miracle Classic six months later, became a new father on Sunday, when his wife Barbara gave birth to the couple's first child, a girl, Petra Ella.

The name Petra pays homage to Erik's Norwegian roots; his mother, Eli, is a native of Norway. Petra is a Norwegian name that means rock or solid person, according to Compton's mother, Eli. Petra Ella weighed in at six pounds, 11 ounces.

Compton, 29, who last played in the Dubai Desert Classic (where he missed the cut), has received a sponsor's exemption to play in the Honda Classic next week.

-- John Strege