Webb Shines to Win 41st LPGA Title

Scott self-destructs at Arnold Palmer Invitational

Chris Duthie

Golf is a maddening exercise where we often see and experience soul-crushing lows and mind-blowing highs. One despairing moment will tempt us to pitch our Callaways into the nearest pond… then a few shots later we can get reeled back in with an endorphin-packed, shot-of-our-life swing.

Maniacal golf was on full display on the game’s biggest stages this weekend. On the LPGA Tour, Karrie Webb played sensational golf to capture the JTBC Founders Cup in Phoenix, while Adam Scott had another final-round letdown and surrendered the PGA Tour’s Arnold Palmer Invitational to first-time winner Matt Every.

Webb’s performance on Sunday could not have been more inspirational or exciting. The 39-year-old Australian birdied six of her final eight holes, shot a course-record nine-under 63 and overcame a six-stroke deficit to beat teenager Lydia Ko by one. It was Webb’s second come-from-behind win of the season (Australian Open), giving the Hall of Famer 41 career Tour titles.

“I didn’t expect to be sitting here at the start of the day,” Webb said of the victory that ties her with Babe Zaharias for 10th on the LPGA’s most-wins list. “Even actually when I finished the day I didn’t expect to be sitting here. So I feel a little bit lucky, I guess, to be sitting here. But it doesn’t make it feel any less special.”

Meanwhile in Orlando, the men were showing off golf’s cruel side. Defending Masters champion Scott blew a three-shot lead—seven going into Saturday’s round of the API—and relinquished the trophy to first-time winner Every, who bogeyed two of the last three holes but still finished one shot better than Keegan Bradley.

“I … I … I can’t believe I won. I just … I really can’t,” said an astonished Every, a University of Florida grad whose only other professional win came at the 2009 Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island. Every, who grew up an hour northeast of Bay Hill in Daytona Beach, regularly attended the Bay Hill tournament as a kid.

“I would take any win, but for it to happen here is very special,” Every said, choking back the emotion.

The win qualified Every for the upcoming Masters, where he will face defending champion Scott.

“I’m annoyed that I didn’t do better today,” said Scott after shooting 76 and finishing third, two strokes back. “I just didn't give myself that many chances. It was a little tricky out there. The couple good putts I did hit didn't go in. It's no excuse. I need to do a little more work on the putting. The last couple of times in this position it was not what I would like.”

NEXT UP

PGA Tour: Valero Texas Open; March 27-30; TPC San Antonio (TX)
LPGA Tour: Kia Classic; March 27-30; Aviara GC; Carlsbad, CA
Champions Tour: Greater Gwinnett Championship; April 18-20; TPC Sugarloaf; Duluth GA

RELATED LINKS

Webb Wins Australian Open

Who Is Matt Every?

10 Things We’d (Still) Like to See on Tour This Year

Chris Duthie is a contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer, the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.