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Compton is best known for persevering through heart transplants in 1992 and 2008. He has finished in the top 25 of just one of his 44 career events, but has brought untold publicity to heart disease and transplants.
"My wife flew in. Maybe she's good luck," said Compton, whose current heart came from a donor in the Columbus area.
Levin also had an incredible putting day, saying, "I don't think I've ever putted that good."
He rolled in birdie putts of 25, 32 and 33 feet, not to mention two 10-footers and a 12-footer.
"Maybe for Tiger or some of the best players of all time like (Memorial founder Jack Nicklaus), they play well all the time," Levin said. "But for at least nine out of 10 guys have ups and downs throughout the year and I guess it's been a little lull (for me)."
Woods has lulls, too. He had one on the ninth hole.
Woods, who has finished tied for 40th twice and missed a cut in his last three disappointing starts, was 2 under and near the lead when he had a double bogey midway through his round. He rebounded with two birdies and no major mistakes the rest of the way in a 70 that left him tied for 11th, four shots back.
"I was just consistent all day -- I didn't do anything great and I didn't do anything poorly," he said. "Over the next three days, hopefully I can play as well as I did today."
McIlroy took a quadruple-bogey on Muirfield Village's signature par-3 12th. It looked like more trouble for the world's No. 2-ranked golfer, who had missed the cut in his last two starts.
He cleared the large lake on the 184-yard hole, but drew a downhill lie in the deep bunker behind the green. His sand shot rolled through the green and into the water. From the drop area he hit into the front bunker, muscled the ball out to 11 feet and two-putted.
But McIlroy, showing the moxie he'll need to defend his U.S. Open title, recovered with five birdies and a bogey the rest of the way to get to 71 and within striking distance.
"I hung in there well and I'm proud of myself for the way I just fought back," he said.
That was his version of picture-perfect.
[Associated Press;
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