Matt Every claims first PGA title as Adam Scott stumbles in final round
Australian lets chance of claiming No 1 spot slip from his grasp
With the chance to all but ensure he would become world No 1, Adam Scott stumbled, leaving Matt Every to claim his first PGA title at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday.
Reigning Masters champion Scott, who led by a record seven strokes through 36 holes and by three when the day began, struggled to a final-round four-over par 76 and settled for third.
Scott, the first Australian to win the Masters green jacket, would likely have dethroned Tiger Woods atop the rankings days before he defended his first major crown next month at Augusta National.
It’s hard. It’s tough. You never know if it’s going to happen. It’s nice to get it done.
Instead, tearful Every secured his first-ever berth at the Masters with an emotional comeback triumph by firing a final-round 70.
“It’s hard. It’s tough,” Every said as he wiped away tears. “You never know if it’s going to happen. It’s nice to get it done.
“It’s really cool. I’ve been really close. I’ve had a ton of looks. I still can’t believe I won.”
Every won in his 93rd US PGA start, his best prior finishes being runner-up efforts in 2012 at the Texas Open and Children’s Miracle network Classic.
The 30-year-old from nearby Daytona Beach, whose father brought him to Bay Hill in his youth, took a US$1 million top prize that was more than he had earned in any prior season.