Day in Review: Round 4

The Europeans dominate the top of the world rankings and won two of the last three majors in 2010, but only one finished in the top 10 at the Masters. Plus, Bo Van Pelt has a big week, a rookie almost wins, and more.

By PGATOUR.COM Staff

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The Europeans have been all the rage lately in golf, dominating the top of the Official World Golf Rankings and winning two of the last three majors in 2010.
   
But once the dust settled at Augusta National on Sunday, the Masters leaderboard had a decidedly different flavor.
   
Just one European (England's Luke Donald) was found in the top 10, while three Australians, three Americans, one Korean, one Argentinian and one South African -- winner Charl Schwartzel -- filled out the rest of the slots.
   
The Masters has placed a greater emphasis on the global game in recent years, and tournament officials couldn't have asked for a better international leaderboard.
   
Schwartzel becomes the second South African to win the Masters in the last four years (joining Trevor Immelman in 2008) and the second to win a major in the last three held (Louis Oosthuizen at last year's British Open).
   
While Greg Norman, captain of the International team at The Presidents Cup in November, no doubt wanted to see one of the Aussies win the Green Jacket, he has to be happy with how his squad is shaping up. He'll have some difficult Captain's Picks to make later this year.

A ROOKIE NEARLY WINS: The only player to win in his first trip to the Masters was Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979. But Aussie Jason Day came tantalizingly close Sunday. As in two shots shy.

It didn't happen for Day, but he thinks it will happen for a future Masters rookie.

"Just the talent of the players that are coming through these days is amazing," he said. "I really think that a rookie or someone that has not played the Masters before is going to come and win this.
       
"Obviously it takes a couple of trips around here to have that experience on what you expect around Augusta National, but I really do think it's going to happen."

STRETCH IT: When Day was running through his round with the press, he was asked how long his birdie putt was at the 17th hole. "I don’t know. Thirty, 35 feet," he said. "Something like that."

He paused. "Make it bigger," he chuckled, drawing a laugh from the room.

Whatever the distance, Day's birdies on the last two holes were clutch, pulling the 23-year-old into a tie with playing partner and fellow Aussie, Adam Scott, for second.

AUTOMATIC INVITATIONS: The top 16 and ties from this year’s tournament are automatically invited back to the 2012 Masters. Among those who’ll be returning: Day, Scott, Geoff Ogilvy, Luke Donald, Bo Van Pelt, K.J. Choi, Ryan Palmer, Justin Rose, Steve Stricker, Lee Westwood, Edoardo Molinari, Brandt Snedeker, Ross Fisher and Rory McIlroy.

Past champions like Schwartzel are invited back in perpetuity. Those in this year’s top 16: Tiger Woods, Angel Cabrera, Trevor Immelman and Fred Couples.

OLDIE BUT GOODIE: Fred Couples isn't getting older. The 51-year-old is just hanging in there -- and finishing in the top 16 at yet another Masters.

Couples, who admits he ran out of gas at the end, closed with a 73 that was his only round over par all week. Even so, his performance was impressive given his chronically cranky back. He now has 14 top-15 finishes -- and that 1992 win -- in 27 Masters.

"I'm just a little out of it," said Couples, who started the final round 5 under for the tournament. "Taking so much stuff that I just, I hit some pulls, hit some push, I feel light headed, but I made it and I think this stuff, no excuse, it's wearing off, but I did as well as I could.
       
"And I'm very happy to have played with Geoff Ogilvy. I love Geoff Ogilvy. And he was trying to root me on to play a little better.  But it was pretty solid, but I got it around."

The back has been acting up big-time since October. He said he's taking at least a month off to visit his doctors in Texas and let his back settle down. He hopes to be back by the Senior PGA Championship at the latest and hopefully a week earlier at the Regions Tradition.

BIG-TIME PERFORMANCE: One of the biggest surprises on the leaderboard? Bo Van Pelt.

Playing in just his second Masters -- his first was in 2005 -- Van Pelt was one shot back and tied at 10 under with two holes to go after making eagles at the 13th and 15th holes. He finished bogey-bogey, but tied for eighth and will be back next year.

In his first Masters, he shot 76-75 to miss the cut. This week? His rounds were 73-68-68-68-70. This was his best finish of the year, period. His previous best in a stroke-play event was a tie for 18th at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

HARDWARE: The winner takes home a sterling silver replica of the Masters Trophy, as well as a gold medal, and he can take his Green Jacket to wear for the year. The runner-up gets a silver medal and silver salver, while low amateur Hideki Matsuyama will take a silver cup back to Japan with him.

Crystal is also given for the day’s low score, holes in one, eagles and double eagles.