Two in a Row for Every at Arnold Palmer Invitational


In addition rallying from a three-shot deficit entering the final round, defending champion Matt Every overtook No. 3-ranked Henrik Stenson to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational for the second year in a row.

The 31-year-old Every, a Florida native, closed with a 6-under 66 to finish at 19-under 269, a stroke ahead of Stenson, who began Sunday with a two-stroke lead but closed with a 70. Every carded seven birdies - including the winning birdie after sinking an 18-foot putt on the par-4 18th - and a bogey at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando.

In 2014 Every eked out a one-shot victory over Keegan Bradley, finishing 72 holes in 13-under 276. He said at greenside that his second win in the tournament was a bit different. "I was driving it really good this week and my irons were spot-on . . . I kind of had a feeling, I was shaking some of those putts in late. The one on 18 [was] straight downhill, that's what you want under pressure."

"A lot of friends and family out here this week, and their support was awesome. I know how hard it is to win, and there's no time for that on the course - letting your emotions get you - because it's just kind of a mess."

After opening with a 68 followed by two 66s to take the 54-hole lead, Stenson recorded four birdies and a pair of bogeys. He had a chance to send the proceedings to extra holes but missed a birdie putt on No. 18 from 20 feet.

The win for Every was worth $1.134 million and 500 FedEx Cup points. In addition, it moves him high enough in the World Golf Ranking to qualify for his first Open Championship.

Australia's Matt Jones took solo third at 271 following a 68, while another two strokes back was 36-hole leader Morgan Hoffman (71). Ben Martin (71) ended up in fifth at 274, and sharing sixth at 275 were Americans Kevin Na (69) and Jason Kokrak (72) along with Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat (69).

Tied for ninth were Zach Johnson, who matched Every's 66 for the low last round, and South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen (69). Sharing 11th at 277 were Hudson Swafford (68) and No. 1-ranked Rory McIlroy (70).

McIlroy's appearance at Bay Hill is his final tournament before the Masters, which starts April 9 at Augusta National. In three PGA Tour events this year he's had just one round in the 60s and one top-10 finish.

Despite that, McIlroy - who'll be seeking a third straight major title in the Masters (and his first green jacket) after winning last year's British Open and PGA Championship - said his game is coming around. "There was progress made this week considering what I was working on last week after Doral," he told ESPN.com's Bob Harig.

"A few areas of the game that I need to tidy up going in there, but saw enough good signs, positive signs to be optimistic in the next couple of weeks and I know what I need to work on. I guess that wasn't the main goal; obviously the main goal was to come here and try to win. Couldn't do that. At least I got a couple of things out of this week, which is good."

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