Matt Every looks to defend at Arnold Palmer Invitational

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Ty Wright / Valencia Voice

Matt Every came back to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational after trailing by as many as 9-strokes, earning his his first PGA Tour event victory.

When Matt Every won the 2014 Arnold Palmer Invitational, it was his first win on the PGA TOUR. If he wants to repeat this year, he’ll have to do it amongst some of golf’s best.

All five of the top five and 16 of the top 30 in the Official World Golf Rankings will be in the field at Bay Hill this week, which means Every will have his hands full.

“It’s good to be back,” said Every. “It was cool seeing my picture coming in [to Bay Hill]. Good feelings. I’m excited to play golf right now”

As mentioned, last years come-from-behind victory was his first on TOUR, in his 93rd start. He became the first player to record his first TOUR victory at the API since Paul Goydos in 1996.

Every has endured some struggles since last years victory. He finished in a tie for 12th at the RBC Heritage in April and a tie for third at the St. Jude Classic in August. Other than that, he has only finished in the top 50 five other times and has missed 11 cuts, including a withdrawal at the Zurich Classic last April and a disqualification at this years Sony Open in January.

“It is a struggle, but I know that I’m the kind of person that I always figure it out and find a way to kind of persevere,” said Every. “So, I’m looking forward to when that happens and when it does, I know that I’m going to be right back on top of the leaderboards.”

He will have to contend with the likes of Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, Henrik Stenson, Adam Scott and Jason Day among many other top pros. The last three FedExCup champions are also in the field: Billy Horschel, Henrik Stenson and Brandt Snedeker.

Every will take part in Wednesday’s Pro-Am and will tee-off at 8:50 am. His first round tee time is set for 1:20 pm Thursday where he is grouped with Hunter Mahan and Ernie Els.