Scott fails as Every triumphs

US Tour

Adam Scott threw away a lead and handed victory to Matt Every on the final day of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Scott was looking like claiming the world number one spot as he lead by a record seven strokes with two rounds to play. But the Australian stumbled despite carrying a three shot lead into the final days play.

Every, four shots behind at the first tee on Sunday after a superb 66 in the third round, carded a two under 70 in the final round to finish on 13 under and win by one stroke ahead of fellow American Keegan Bradley.

“It’s hard,” said the American after claiming his maiden PGA Tour victory.

“It’s tough, man. You just never know if it’s going to happen. You get there so many times. It’s nice to get it done.

“Being close to winning out here, it can be kind of discouraging because if you don’t win, you just wonder if it’s ever going to happen.

“And sometimes you tell yourself, ‘Well, maybe it’s meant to be somewhere else, somewhere better.’ I don’t see how it could get much better than this – being so close to where I grew up and all the fans out there that were cheering me on. It was awesome,” concluded Every, whose win secures him a place at the Masters.

Every charged to the front of the field after four birdies in five holes, during which Scott bogeyed the 14th, giving him a three shot lead. Nerves lead to bogey on the 16th and then the 30-year-old missed a five foot par putt on the final hole, leaving Bradley a chance to force a playoff.

Bradley left himself a 30-footer for birdie on the 18th, but missed his attempt and would have to settle for an even par 72 and 12 under for the tournament.

Meanwhile, Scott carded five bogeys and a birdie in a woeful round of 76 to end up by himself in third on 11 under.

“Today I was a bit shaky but this course was asking a lot of everyone,” said the world number two.

“My short game just wasn’t there so that needs to be tightened up. This shows I need to do a bit more work on it for it to hold up under the most pressure.”

Should Scott have held his nerve for a win, he would have likely dethroned Tiger Woods from the top if the world rankings, as the 14 time major winner was absent this weekend after suffering from back spasms.

“I’m annoyed that I didn’t do better today,” continued the Masters champion, who equaled the course record with his opening round of 62 on Thursday.

“Sometimes you’ve got to be hard on yourself. Sometimes you don’t. And I think I was getting into a really good spot, and an opportunity here to run away with an event and really take a lot of confidence.

I’m taking confidence anyway, from just some good play. But some opportunities you’ve got to take,” admitted a disappointed Scott.

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