- Matt Every cried in his post-round interview after winning for the first time on Tour, and rightfully so. Until today, Every was known as the man who was arrested and suspended in 2010, and who was considered brash and cocky to many while never actually cashing in on his talent. Every not only deserved to win, but he deserved to win at Bay Hill, where he used to watch golf as a child. This was the ultimate fairy tale for Every, and now he can finally enjoy being called a PGA Tour Champion. Matt Every at the Masters. What a sight that's going to be.
- With all do respect to Mr. Every, but the ultimate headline from this event will not be who won it, but rather who did not. By all rights, Adam Scott had this tournament won. If you are trying to be the number one player in the world, how do you give up a seven shot lead going into the weekend? What we are seeing on Tour right now is an evening out of sorts, with the top players struggling to close the deal and players further down the world ranking lists cashing in on their mistakes. From Rory McIlroy at the Honda to Adam Scott at Bay Hill, it is amazing to me the number of top players who can't seem to cash in on golden opportunities.
- I will be honest, I tend to forget about Keegan Bradley. I don't know why, it's not like he's a quiet guy devoid of personality. I just think he tends to slip my mind when I think about the top players. Not after this week, however, as a double bogey stood between him and his fourth PGA Tour title. Difference between he and Adam Scott, however, is that Keegan rallied late, not allowing a bad start to derail him. With the top players currently struggling, Keegan is in perfect position heading into the Masters.
- A top 10 could be a flash in the pan, or it could lead to bigger and better things. That is what we're waiting for see from Erik Compton and Ryo Ishikawa. For Ishikawa, his good week seems to resemble a return to form, as his 2013-2014 season has been his bet yet on the PGA Tour. Each week, he seems to improve, which is great for Ishikawa fans (such as myself). For Compton, it is too soon to tell. It's not like Compton was playing terrible heading into this week, but he wasn't playing remarkably well, either. Perhaps all he needed was some confidence.
- We have an early candidate for LPGA Player Of The Year, and it is a woman who is no stranger to performing at the highest level. Karrie Webb's 2014 season has got off to a tremendous start, becoming the first player to win twice this season, both times with massive charges in the final round. It's weird how we discuss Webb's performances as if we are shocked she is doing so at "such an age". Webb is only 39, an age where, is a male pro were performing at the same level, we would have expected as much. Perhaps it is just far more shocking on the LPGA Tour, considering we have 18 and 19 year olds winning tournaments at a frequent rate. Either way, Webb has shown this season that while youth is nice, nothing can beat experience when you're trying to win a tournament.
- It is a tale of two rookies coming out of the Founders Cup. On one side, you have Mirim Lee, who has to feel encouraged coming in second surrounded by all those world class players. Lee couldn't seal the deal, but she didn't completely collapse, either, and that has to be an incredibly positive sign for her going forward. On the other side, you have Lydia Ko, who looked to be in complete control of this tournament until she struggled coming down the stretch. Ko is going to receive all the headlines because she's won twice on tour and is supposed to be the be-all, end-all when it comes to Tour rookies, but everyone needs to calm down. She is still a rookie, after all, and she is only 16 years old. Lexi Thompson struggled in putting away golf tournaments when she first turned pro, and now we look at her as the next great American golfer. These things take time, and Ko needs to have her opportunities to fail before she can be truly great.
- What is it going to take for Stacy Lewis to win again? Every week, Lewis has a chance coming home, and every week she is unable to do so, either because she can't secure that final birdie, or someone else passes her with a remarkable putt or shot that takes her out of it. Lewis is publicly saying she's encouraged by her performance, but she also has to be slightly frustrated, as well. No one is playing better golf tee to green right now, and she just hasn't been rewarded for it.
- It's great to see Azahara Munoz bounce back from her playoff loss in Singapore to finish tied for second at the Founders Cup. Munoz has officially turned a corner and now looks to be the player we thought she would be after the 2011 season. Her revival couldn't have come at a better time for Team Spain going into the International Cup, as both Beatriz Recari and Carlota Ciganda has struggled this season. Munoz may need to put that entire team on her back if they are to be successful.
- Nice to see Hee-Won Han and Laura Davies have good weeks. Han was one of the players I followed all the time back in 2006, and the world of women's golf is better when Davies is performing well. This may have just been a one week flash for these two, but it was still great to see, and hopefully we get some more good performances from them.
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