Compton advances in PGA Tour qualifying with 66

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Erik Compton has made it through the first stage of PGA Tour qualifying without any drama, shooting a 66 to win his site by seven shots.

Compton was among 22 players at PGA Golf Club who advanced Saturday to the second stage. There are 13 sites in the opening stage of Q-school, in which nearly 1,000 players compete for about 25 PGA Tour cards.

Among those who failed to advance were Gary Nicklaus, the 40-year-old son of Jack Nicklaus, and Sam Saunders, the grandson of Arnold Palmer. Also failing were Tadd Fujikawa and former U.S. Amateur champion Danny Lee, who won a European Tour event in February.

A year ago, Compton was still recovering from his second heart transplant when he rallied in the final round to make it out of the first stage, although that was as far as he advanced.