European drought continues at the Masters
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After a thrilling climax to the 75th Masters Tournament we were again left without a European winner.
Jose Maria Olazabal was the last European to wear the Green Jacket in 1999 and despite a number of Europeans being in contention going into the back nine this year it was South African Charl Schwartzel who triumphed.
Rory McIlroy’s four’shot overnight lead quickly evaporated in the Georgia heat and his challenge was finally laid to rest with a triple bogey on 10, a three-putt on 11 and a four-putt on 12. He carded an 80 to finish in a tie for 15th.
In the end, it was only Luke Donald who muscled his way into the top 10 with a closing 69, which included a fantastic chip in on 18 after his approach had hit the flag an spun off the green. He finished tied fourth.
Other good European showings came from Justin Rose, Lee Westwood and Edoardo Molinari, who tied for 11th, Ross Fisher (T15th), Martin Laird (T20th), Robert Karlsson (T27th), Ian Poulter (T27th), first-round joint leader Alvaro Quiros (T27th) and Miguel Angel Jimenez (T27th).
