AUGUSTA, Georgia: Lee Westwood believes it is only a matter of time before a European golfer once again wins the Masters. The Englishman came desperately close himself last year when he finished second to a charging Phil Mickelson and this year he will be among the favorites once again as part of a European quartet filling the top positions in the world rankings. USPGA winner Martin Kaymer is the current top man, having deposed Westwood in February, with Luke Donald at No. 3 and US Open champion Graeme McDowell at four. That situation harkens back to the last era of European domination in the 1980s and 1990s when Nick Faldo (3), Seve Ballesteros (3), Bernhard Langer (2), Jose Maria Olazabal (2), Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam all pulled on the famous Green Jacket. But since Olazabal's last win in 1999, there have been no further European wins unlike in the British Open, US Open and USPGA. Westwood hopes that is about to change - even if it is not him that does it. “I think it's just one of those cycles that tournaments and world rankings go through. We have got enough world-class players now that we ought to be contending and winning more I guess. “There's no reason not to see over the next few years that Europeans will start winning again at Augusta as we were in the ‘80s and early ‘90s.” The Ryder Cup hero has had a quiet time of it of late, true to his reputation of being a slow starter to the year. But he says that is no concern to him as it all comes down to peaking at the right moment for the Majors. “I've learnt over the years, especially the last three or four years, to build up to certain events - it just comes with experience,” he said. “I'm more comfortable at all of the major championships really, not just Augusta. I think it just comes with playing in them a lot and getting into contention. “Last time I played in one I finished second (he missed the US PGA with his torn calf muscle). I played three last year and finished second twice – my record recently shows that I think I do things right for me going into them.” Ulsterman McDowell is also hoping that he finds some inspiration when he drives down Magnolia Lane to open what will be his fourth Masters campaign. In his three previous appearances he missed the cut twice in 2005 and last year and although he was top European in 2009 he was only 17th. Augusta National remains something of a mystery to him. “I'm looking forward to going back – it's one of those golf courses every time I go back I feel like I see something new. “It's just an amazing course. It's an amazing tournament.” The world's top four players apart, there are three other European players in the world top 20 – Paul Casey, Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter – all of whom have experience of Augusta and who could pose a real threat if they get going. – Agence France
