Matt Every
Matthew Every (born December 4, 1983) is an American professional golfer and golf broadcaster from Daytona Beach, Florida, best known for winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour in consecutive years, 2014 and 2015.[1][2] Every attended the University of Florida, where he played on the men's golf team and became the first Gator in history to win the Ben Hogan Award as the nation's top amateur golfer in 2006. He turned professional later that year after earning All-American honors and competing in events like the Walker Cup and Palmer Cup.[2] Early in his pro career, Every secured his first tour victory by winning the 2009 Nationwide Tour Championship (now known as the Korn Ferry Tour Championship), which helped him earn his PGA Tour card.[3] On the PGA Tour, Every has made 279 starts since joining full-time in 2010, achieving 21 top-10 finishes and earning over $10 million in official prize money.[2] His back-to-back triumphs at Bay Hill—shooting 13-under in 2014 and 19-under in 2015—remain his only PGA Tour wins and marked him as a fan favorite for his passionate play and memorable post-round interviews.[2][4][5] After struggling with form in the late 2010s and taking a break from full-time competition in 2021 to reassess his career, Every has transitioned into broadcasting.[6] He debuted as an on-course reporter for Golf Channel at the 2021 RSM Classic and now co-anchors The Drop, a weekly show originating from PGA Tour Studios that premiered on Golf Channel in May 2025.[7][8]Early years
Early life
Matt Every was born on December 4, 1983, in Daytona Beach, Florida.[9] Every grew up in Daytona Beach and attended Mainland High School, where he developed a strong foundation in golf.[10] His high school career was marked by consistent excellence, including being named Volusia County High School Golfer of the Year for four consecutive years.[10] He also earned national recognition as a senior, ranking among the top 30 high school golfers according to multiple golf publications.[10] Every's early interest in golf was heavily influenced by his family, particularly his father, Kelly Every, who introduced him to the sport through regular outings.[11] Starting in grade school, Kelly drove his son on annual one-hour trips from Daytona Beach to Orlando to attend the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club & Lodge.[12] These experiences allowed young Every to observe professional players up close, including following Florida native Mark Calcavecchia, whose style and demeanor left a lasting impression and fueled his passion for the game.[12]Amateur career
Matt Every enrolled at the University of Florida in 2003 and competed for the Florida Gators men's golf team through 2006.[2] As a walk-on who earned his spot on the roster, he contributed to the team's success, including multiple tournament victories and strong showings in Southeastern Conference (SEC) competitions.[13] Every's individual excellence earned him three first-team All-SEC honors in 2004, 2005, and 2006, recognizing his dominance within the conference.[14] He was also a four-time All-American, receiving PING honorable mention accolades as a freshman in 2003 and first-team selections in each of his final three seasons.[14] These honors highlighted his consistent performance, with notable results such as tying for ninth in his collegiate debut at the 2003 Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate and leading the Gators in several events.[10] In prominent amateur tournaments, Every finished tied for 28th at the 2005 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, carding rounds of 75-73-73-70 for a total of 11-over-par 291 and earning low amateur honors as the top non-professional finisher.[15] His standout collegiate and amateur career culminated in 2006 when he received the Ben Hogan Award, presented by the Golf Coaches Association of America to the nation's premier amateur golfer; Every became the first University of Florida recipient of the honor.[16] Every also represented the United States in international amateur competitions, participating in the Palmer Cup in 2004 and 2005 (U.S. winners both years) and the Walker Cup in 2005 (U.S. winners).[17][18]Professional playing career
Early professional years
Matt Every turned professional in 2006 following his collegiate career at the University of Florida.[2] In his initial years as a pro, Every competed primarily on mini-tours while making sporadic appearances in PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour events; he also attempted to qualify for the PGA Tour through Q-School, notably missing a tour card by a narrow margin at the 2007 final stage.[19] Every gained full-time status on the Nationwide Tour (now known as the Korn Ferry Tour) in 2008, where he established consistency with several strong finishes, including multiple top-10 results that positioned him for greater success the following year.[20][21] His breakthrough came in 2009 at the Nationwide Tour Championship, where he shot a final-round 67 to win by three strokes over Michael Sim, securing his first professional victory and jumping to 10th on the money list with $300,936 in earnings—enough to earn a PGA Tour card for the 2010 season.[22][23] Every's rookie PGA Tour season was interrupted in August 2010 when he received a 90-day suspension for violating the tour's drug policy after testing positive for marijuana following an arrest for possession of a controlled substance.[24]Breakthrough and PGA Tour wins
Matt Every earned his PGA Tour card for the 2010 season by winning the 2009 Nationwide Tour Championship and finishing 10th on the money list.[25][23] He maintained full exempt status through the 2015 season via consistent performances, including an 18th-place finish on the 2011 Nationwide Tour money list, earning his PGA Tour card for the 2012 season.[26] Every's breakthrough came during the 2013–2014 seasons, marked by strong showings that elevated his profile. In July 2013, he shot a career-low 8-under 62 in the second round of the Greenbrier Classic, taking the lead after 36 holes and finishing tied for 13th.[27] These efforts helped him qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs for the second time.[28] His form peaked with his first PGA Tour victory at the 2014 Arnold Palmer Invitational, where he posted rounds of 69-70-66-70 for a total of 13-under 275, edging Keegan Bradley by one stroke after Adam Scott's late collapse.[4][29] This win, his maiden Tour title after eight years of professional play, earned him a Masters invitation and propelled him into the spotlight. Every defended his title at the 2015 Arnold Palmer Invitational, becoming only the third player in event history to win consecutive editions, joining Tiger Woods and Fred Couples.[30] He carded rounds of 68-66-69-66 for a 19-under 269 total, securing a one-stroke victory over Henrik Stenson with an 18-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole in the final round.[5][31] These back-to-back triumphs at Bay Hill marked the height of his playing career, culminating in a career-high Official World Golf Ranking of No. 40 in March 2015.[32]Later years, challenges, and hiatus
Following his back-to-back victories at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2014 and 2015, Every experienced a significant decline in performance on the PGA Tour. From 2016 to 2020, he struggled with consistency, recording numerous missed cuts and failing to secure any further wins; for instance, in 2017, he missed 17 consecutive cuts, including a withdrawal after an opening-round 84 at the Honda Classic.[33][34] By late 2018, Every had lost his full exempt status on the PGA Tour after finishing outside the top 125 in the FedEx Cup standings, forcing him to compete on the Korn Ferry Tour to regain his playing privileges.[35] His challenges intensified in the 2020-21 season, where he made 22 starts but missed 20 cuts and withdrew from two events, culminating in a drop to No. 1,535 in the Official World Golf Ranking.[6][36] Every faced additional setbacks due to violations of the PGA Tour's conduct policy on drugs of abuse. He encountered his second suspension in October 2019, lasting 12 weeks, for testing positive for cannabis, which he attributed to treating a mental health condition; this marked the second such infraction in his career (following the 2010 incident).[37][38][39] Health issues further hampered his playing schedule. During the second round of the 2021 Barbasol Championship, Every withdrew due to heart complications after an opening 73, an incident that occurred amid his ongoing struggles and reportedly followed frustration on the course.[40][41] By late 2021, after a tied for 90th finish at the RSM Classic—his final PGA Tour start of the season—Every decided to pause his full-time competitive playing career, citing burnout from "going through the motions" without enjoyment.[42][6] Lacking full exempt status but retaining past champion privileges, he made sporadic appearances thereafter, including on the Korn Ferry Tour such as the 2021 AdventHealth Championship, but has not recorded any victories since 2015. As of 2025, Every has not resumed competitive play on the PGA Tour or Korn Ferry Tour, maintaining his hiatus while pursuing broadcasting opportunities.[43][44][45]U.S. national team appearances
Matt Every did not participate in any professional U.S. national team events during his career on the PGA Tour. Following his victory at the 2015 Arnold Palmer Invitational, which earned him 1,024 points and a 10th-place ranking in the Presidents Cup qualification standings, he was not selected for the American team.[46] The U.S. squad, captained by Jay Haas and consisting of top point earners Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, Jimmy Walker, Zach Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, and Matt Kuchar, along with captain's picks Phil Mickelson, J.B. Holmes, Bill Haas, and Chris Kirk, competed at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea and secured a narrow victory over the International team with a final score of 15.5–14.5.[47] No other significant international team representations are noted in Every's professional record.[2]Tournament results
Major championships
Matt Every's participation in major championships was limited, spanning from his amateur days in 2005 to his professional career peak in 2014–2015, after which exemptions ended and he faced suspensions and a hiatus from competitive play. He qualified for majors primarily through strong PGA Tour performances, including back-to-back wins at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but struggled to contend, often missing cuts due to inconsistent scoring.[2] The following table summarizes his year-by-year results in the four majors, with finishes, status (e.g., CUT for missed cut, WD for withdrawal), and notable scores where they highlight performance context. Non-participation years are marked as DNP (did not play). Data is drawn from official tournament records.| Year | Masters Tournament | U.S. Open | The Open Championship | PGA Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | DNP | T28 (291, +11 as amateur) | DNP | DNP |
| 2006–2011 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| 2012 | DNP | DNP | DNP | 71st (304, +16) |
| 2013 | DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT (73-75—148, +8) |
| 2014 | CUT (77-78—155, +11) | CUT (76-72—148, +8) | 71st (297, +9) | CUT (73-72—145, +3) |
| 2015 | CUT (73-74—147, +3) | WD (after 10 holes, stomach illness) | CUT (73-78—151, +7) | CUT (73-79—152, +10) |
| 2016–2025 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
The Players Championship
Matt Every made his debut in The Players Championship in 2012, shortly after earning full PGA Tour status via the Nationwide Tour. He missed the cut with rounds of 75 and 76. His participation in the event during this period reflected his exempt status on Tour, allowing annual entries from 2012 through 2017. In 2013, Every posted his career-best result at the tournament, finishing tied for 26th at 4-under par (70-71-71-72), earning $67,450. He followed with another missed cut in 2014, carding 76 and 77. Every's 2015 appearance came amid a career-high season that included two PGA Tour victories earlier in the year, securing his spot via points. He made the cut and tied for 42nd at 2-under par (74-70-70-72), collecting $31,400. He missed the cut in both 2016 (73-78) and 2017 (74-78), the latter marking the end of his consecutive appearances as full-status member. After transitioning to conditional and sponsor-exempt categories following the 2017 season, Every did not play The Players again until 2020, when he entered via past champion status from his Arnold Palmer Invitational wins. He opened with a 5-over 77 before the tournament was canceled after one round due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with no official finish recorded.| Year | Finish | To Par | Rounds | Earnings | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | CUT | +7 | 75-76 | $0 | Golfweek |
| 2013 | T26 | -4 | 70-71-71-72 | $67,450 | PGA Tour |
| 2014 | CUT | +9 | 76-77 | $0 | PGA Tour; Golfweek |
| 2015 | T42 | -2 | 74-70-70-72 | $31,400 | PGA Tour |
| 2016 | CUT | +7 | 73-78 | $0 | PGA Tour |
| 2017 | CUT | +8 | 74-78 | $0 | PGA Tour |
| 2020 | DNP* | +5 | 77 | $0 | Fox Sports |
World Golf Championships
Matt Every's involvement in the World Golf Championships series was confined to 2014 and 2015, coinciding with his career-high world ranking of No. 40 achieved after consecutive victories at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. These elite invitational events, which featured the top players from around the globe, offered Every rare opportunities to test himself against the best in the sport, though his results were modest amid stiff competition. He made five appearances across the series during this period, with his strongest performance coming at the 2014 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, where he posted a tied for 47th finish.[51] Every's limited success in the WGCs highlighted the challenges of sustaining momentum at the highest level, as his form waned after 2015 amid personal and professional hurdles. The series, which concluded after the 2022 season, saw no further participation from Every, as his ranking fell outside the qualification thresholds thereafter. His outings underscored the invitational nature of the WGCs, reserved for top-ranked players, recent winners, and major champions. The following table summarizes Every's results in qualified WGC events:| Year | Tournament | Finish | To par / Record | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | WGC-Bridgestone Invitational | T47 | +4 (284) | $55,500 |
| 2014 | WGC-HSBC Champions | T56 | +7 (295) | $45,250 |
| 2015 | WGC-Cadillac Match Play | T52 | 0-3-0 | $52,250 |
| 2015 | WGC-Bridgestone Invitational | T74 | +18 (298) | $41,500 |
| 2015 | WGC-HSBC Champions | T56 | +7 (295) | $45,250 |
Media and business career
Broadcasting and analysis
Following his career hiatus, Matt Every made his initial foray into golf broadcasting in late 2021, serving as an on-course reporter for Golf Channel during the RSM Classic in a two-event tryout that extended to the PNC Championship.[57] In 2022, Every expanded his broadcasting presence with ESPN+, providing studio analysis for the AT&T Byron Nelson and transitioning to on-course reporting for the PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club.[58] He continued on-course reporting and analysis for Golf Channel in subsequent seasons, contributing insights during PGA Tour events. By 2024, Every served as an on-course reporter for ESPN's coverage of the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club, alongside reporters like Ned Michaels and Ken Brown.[59] As of 2025, Every hosts The DROP, a weekly Golf Channel show originating from PGA Tour Studios, co-anchored with Lauren Withrow and featuring guests such as Jordan Spieth.[8] That year, he also appeared as a guest on The Smylie Show podcast, where he discussed his transition from professional playing to media roles.[60] Throughout the 2024–2025 seasons, Every has taken on analyst roles for PGA Tour and ESPN broadcasts, including providing analysis for ESPN BET on PGA TOUR LIVE during the WM Phoenix Open.[61]Apparel and other ventures
In 2020, Matt Every co-founded Live Forever Golf (LFG), a golf lifestyle apparel brand, alongside friends Scott Toole, Scott Riley, and Lewis Price during the COVID-19 pandemic.[62] The brand's name draws inspiration from Every's tattoo of "Live Forever," referencing the Oasis song of the same title, reflecting his personal fandom.[63] LFG specializes in limited-edition clothing items such as polos, hoodies, pants, and shorts, designed for on-course performance as well as casual settings like coaching or beach outings.[64] The company's logo features an iconic image of Every throwing his wedge into a lake in frustration during the 2019 AT&T Byron Nelson tournament, symbolizing raw passion for the game.[65] LFG has expanded through strategic partnerships, including serving as the official apparel partner for the 2025 New Mexico Open at Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort, where it released limited-edition items tied to the event.[66] The brand emphasizes emotional connections with golfers, positioning itself as apparel "for the player, not the game," with a focus on versatile, high-quality pieces that appeal to a broad audience in the golf industry.[67] Beyond LFG, Every has pursued self-made renegade branding through social media, particularly his Instagram account @matteverylfg, where he promotes his entrepreneurial identity and engages directly with fans on golf and lifestyle topics.[68] This shift toward business ventures follows his professional playing career, during which he amassed approximately $10.4 million in PGA Tour earnings as of the end of 2022, providing a financial foundation for these pursuits.[45]Personal life
Family
Matt Every is married to Danielle Every.[69] The couple has two children: a son named Liam, inspired by Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, and a daughter named Quinn Palmer Every, honoring golf legend Arnold Palmer and the Bay Hill course where Every secured his first PGA Tour victory.[70][71] The family resides in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.[35][72] Every measures 5 feet 11 inches in height and weighs 190 pounds.[73]Interests and philanthropy
Matt Every is an avid fan of the British rock band Oasis, a passion that has notably shaped aspects of his personal and professional life. He has a tattoo of the lyrics from their song "Live Forever" on his right arm, reflecting the band's enduring influence on him. This affinity also inspired the name of his apparel brand, Live Forever Golf, launched after his retirement from competitive play on the PGA Tour.[70][64] Beyond Oasis, Every maintains a broad interest in music, often citing it as a key part of his downtime. Following a self-imposed hiatus from professional golf in 2021, where he described feeling like he was "going through the motions," he has embraced more casual rounds on the course, prioritizing enjoyment over competition.[39][6] Every's philanthropic efforts center on supporting golf-related causes, including participation in PGA Tour charity events like The Give, which benefits the Southern California PGA Foundation's initiatives for youth development and community programs. In 2024, Every participated in the Golf for COPS Pro-Am, supporting law enforcement initiatives.[74][75] While no major personal foundations are associated with him, he has engaged in discussions on junior golf accessibility, drawing from his own late start in the sport during high school in Florida.[76] Residing in the Jacksonville area of Florida, Every leads a low-profile lifestyle post-career. He previously avoided social media to distance himself from public scrutiny but now engages via Instagram for professional updates related to broadcasting and golf.[36][39][68]Achievements
Professional wins
Matt Every has secured three professional victories throughout his golf career, comprising one win on the Korn Ferry Tour and two on the PGA Tour.[2][3] His first professional triumph came in 2009 at the Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island, a victory that propelled him to earn full PGA Tour status for the 2010 season and marked a pivotal step in establishing his presence on the premier circuit after turning professional in 2006.[3][2] Every's subsequent successes arrived in 2014 and 2015, both at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, where he became the first player since Tiger Woods, who won four consecutive times from 2000 to 2003, to win the event in consecutive years; these back-to-back triumphs solidified his PGA Tour standing, enhanced his exemption status, and boosted his career earnings significantly during a period of competitive resurgence.[2][31]PGA Tour wins
Matt Every secured his only two PGA Tour victories at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, achieving the rare feat of winning the event in consecutive years.[4][5] His first win came on March 23, 2014, when he finished at 13-under-par 275, edging out Keegan Bradley by one stroke.[4] Every entered the final round four shots behind leader Adam Scott but capitalized on Scott's late collapse, carding a 2-under 70 to secure the $1,116,000 first-place prize.[4] Key rounds included:- Round 1: 3-under 69
- Round 2: 2-under 70
- Round 3: 6-under 66
- Round 4: 2-under 70[4]
- Round 1: 4-under 68
- Round 2: 6-under 66
- Round 3: 3-under 69
- Round 4: 6-under 66[5]