Matt Every shot a two-under 70 in the final round to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. The win is the first of Every’s blossoming career on the PGA Tour, and he will receive his first invitation to the Masters.
Every played extremely well over the first 13 holes, getting his round to four-under par. However, the final three holes were an emotional roller coaster that included a bogey on 16, nearly draining a bunker shot for birdie on 17, and a bogey on 18. The cameras caught a tear streaming down his face on 17 green, and Every was choked up during his post-victory interview.
Every is putting together a fine career on the PGA Tour. He had six top-tens in 2012, four top-tens in 2013, and five top-tens in 11 events this season. The four-time All-American from the University of Florida has come a long way since his days on the Golf Channel’s Big Break.
Keegan Bradley doubled the second hole and bogeyed the third hole to quickly fall behind the leaders in the final round. He battled back with a couple birdies on the front nine, but bogeyed 10 and 11 to go to three-over on the day. Birdies on 12, 16, and 17 placed a ton of pressure on Every, but Bradley’s game-tying birdie putt on 18 slid by on the high side. Bradley finished in second place at 12-under.
Adam Scott shot a final round 76, but he remained in the tournament until the final hole. Scott had a makeable eagle putt on 16 to tie Every, but the putt failed to go down, and he missed the three-foot comeback putt for birdie. On 17, Scott missed an eight-foot par putt to stay in the tournament, and he finished with a par on 18 for third place at 11-under total.
Jason Kokrak’s bid for the title succumbed to late bogies on 14 and 18. Kokrak shot a one-over 73 to finish in fourth place at 10-under total.
Henrik Stenson (68), Eric Compton (69), and Francesco Molinari (73) finished tied for fifth place at nine-under par.
Link to leaderboard.
