ORLANDO — American Matt Every won his second consecutive Arnold Palmer Invitational title when he sank a 15-foot birdie putt at the final hole to beat Henrik Stenson by one stroke in Florida Sunday. Every, who had not posted a top-25 finish since last June, had joked pre-tournament with Tiger Woods that he would win again on the Bay Hill course in Orlando where Woods has won eight times. Every struck form in time to shoot a closing 66 and finish at 19-under-par 269, barely an hour's drive from his hometown of Daytona Beach.
Stenson (70) rued what might have been after bogeying the 15th hole and failing to birdie the easy par-five 16th.
The Swede missed a 20-foot birdie at the last that would have earned a playoff, but will still go into next month's Masters as one of the in-form players after posting his third straight top-four finish.
Every, 31, who is coached by Woods' former instructor Sean Foley, won last year's event on the back of great putting, but this time his long game paved the way to his second PGA Tour victory.
However, it was a slick downhill putt on the 18th green that finally clinched the $1.134 million first prize, and a ticket to the Masters.
Runner-up Stenson is 62-under for his past 21 rounds worldwide, but it was still a stinging loss for the world No. 3, who led with four holes left.
Australian Matt Jones (68) finished two strokes behind Every in third place, while American Morgan Hoffman (71) was fourth, four strokes back.
Hoffman made a great start to the final round and took the lead with five birdies in the first eight holes before a bogey at the par-four ninth.
A double-bogey at the last, where he yanked his drive out-of-bounds, only compounded his misery.
Kim wins LPGA Cup
In Phoenix, Kim Hyo-joo, fired up after a bogey at the 10th, birdied five of her last eight holes Sunday to win the LPGA Founders Cup by three strokes from Stacy Lewis.
The 19-year-old South Korean had seven birdies in her five-under par 67, capturing a second LPGA Tour title to go with the major crown she earned at the Evian Championship last year.
Kim led Lewis by two strokes going into the final round at Wildfire Golf Club.
Lewis closed within one shot late Sunday but bogeyed the last to cap a four-under par 68.
Her 18-under par total of 270 gave her a second runner-up finish in her last three events.
Even though she started the day with the lead, Kim said she wasn't thinking about lifting the trophy.
South Korean Lee Il-hee grabbed a share of third place with a six-under par 66.
She was joined on 272 by compatriot Lee Mi-hyang, who carded a 68, and Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum, who signed for a 67.
World No. 1 Lydia Ko fired a three-under par 69 for the third straight day to lead a group of five players sharing sixth place on 15-under 273. — Agencies
