AUGUSTA, Ga. — Much of the talk heading into the Masters surrounded the dominance of European golfers over their American counterparts.
Four Europeans — Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald, Ross Fisher and Martin Laird — are in the top 17 through three rounds. The U.S. has six in the top 17 (Bo Van Pelt, Bubba Watson, Fred Couples, Tiger Woods, Matt Kuchar and Ryan Palmer).
The U.S., however, is in danger of not having one of its own in the top three in the Masters for the first time.
Van Pelt is the top American on the leaderboard, and he is in eighth place.
Irish eyes.
Following Rory McIlroy was U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell, who missed the cut but didn’t want to miss out on his countryman having a chance to give Europe another major.
“He just texted me and told me he loves me,” McIlroy said. “I don’t know if that’s him or the beer talking.”
Comeback kid?
Phil Mickelson is nine shots out of the lead and in need of an improbable comeback if he wants to win a fourth green jacket.
“I’m going to be quite a few back, but on Sunday a lot can happen,” Mickelson said. “I’m not going to count myself out.”
Denver Post wire services
