Erik Compton waves at Pinehurst No. 2 during the final round of the 2014 U.S. Open.

4. Compton shines at U.S. Open

In 1992, Erik Compton had a heart transplant after being diagnosed with viral cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart muscle becomes inflamed and is unable to pump as it should. He took up golf as part of his rehabilitation and became good enough to turn professional in 2001. But he had another heart transplant in 2008. Slowly and steadily he returned to the game and won the 2011 Mexico Open on the Nationwide Tour. In 2014, he tied for second in the U.S. Open.