Heart transplant pro golfer

Until I read the story, I wasn't sure how to parse this AP headline: Heart Transplant Survivor Gets Shot at US Open

It turns out the headline means the golfer Erik Compton got _a_ shot at playing in the Open. He's a survivor of two heart transplants who wants to make a living playing golf. He's one of 156 players in possession of what he calls a Golden Ticket -- a tee time this week at Pebble Beach to play in the U.S. Open."