The Masters: European PGA Tour posts a strong showing

Well, obviously the big story today is this year’s Masters, and specifically winner Zach Johnson, who managed to fend off a lurking Tiger and take home the green jacket. But when the dust settles around Johnson, this Masters might go down as one of the real breakthroughs for European Tour players. The Masters’ top 10 is made up of no fewer than seven of them: South Africa’s Rory Sabbatini and Retief Goosen tied for third, England’s Justin Rose tied for fifth and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington and Australia’s Stuart Appleby tied for seventh. England’s Paul Casey and Luke Donald each tied for 10th.

Go a little further down the Master’s leader board and you’ll find England’s Ian Poulter, past Masters winner Vijay Singh, South Africa’s Tim Clark and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson all in the top 20.

Of course, none of these players were picked to win, and none of them did. But it does signal that oddsmakers and punters alike are going to really have to begin factoring in these names in future majors. Harrington and Goosen are always vying near the top of major leader boards, but the Caseys and Donalds and Poulters out there are going to break through soon.

And, on a last note, where was the much-vaunted Sergio Garcia to be found? Flying home early: He missed the cut.