It is quite astonishing that in the last 20 years of the last century no fewer than six different European players won the Masters a total of 11 times compared with the first decade and a half of the 21st century during which there hasn’t been a single European winner.
Of course, there has been some close calls, none more so than Rory McIlroy’s collapse from holding a four-stroke lead entering the final round five years ago.
And the world number three is Europe's best hope of ending that drought, not to mention becoming the first Irish winner of the one major that has eluded players from this island.
A low key, minimalist approach in practise over the past few days leaves McIlroy feeling ready for a challenge, which has in various different ways ways tripped him up in seven previous visits.
“I’m probably a little more subdued this time,” said McIlroy. “Maybe it’s because I haven’t had a win this year, but I feel like my game is right there so I’m feeling good.”
A year ago this week, McIlroy was the clear-cut world number one and could have completed the career grand slam had he won.
.@McIlroyRory will chase history this week at @TheMasters with a custom @nikegolf ball. https://t.co/u7WrKmeEt2 pic.twitter.com/fF9Y06gA2m
— Jonathan Wall (@jonathanrwall) April 6, 2016
The focus of attention was just overbearing last year and McIlroy found himself a dozen shots behind eventual winner Jordan Spieth at the half-way stage before recovering to finish fourth.
What he learned a year ago is that you cannot afford to get off to a sluggish start at the Masters and that will certainly be on his mind when he starts his first round tonight (7.01pm).
“I think it’s imperative to get off to a good start,” said McIlroy.
"That’s a thing that has held me back in the last couple of years. You look at a lot of great champions from the past and they have been right up there since the first day.”
The four-strong Irish challenge also includes Darren Clarke, who could be playing in his last ever Masters, along with two PGA tour winners from last year, Graeme McDowell and Shane Lowry who are both, like McIlroy, out near the end of the field this evening.
It is Lowry’s second masters and in terms of his own challenge, he is a little daunted by the credentials of the in-form players this week.
“You have Adam Scott, Bubba Watson, Jason Day, and I haven’t even mentioned Rory or Spieth yet," said Lowry. "All those guys are playing really well but if I can be myself, and be Shane Lowry this week, I think I can do okay.”
The list of in-form players who can win this week is probably longer than it has ever been since the emergence of Tiger Woods at this event 19 years ago.
Last year’s winner Spieth executed the most impressive Masters performance since Tiger did what he did back in 1997.
And so we glimpsed the beginning of a new era in the game one, where no single player dominates.
Instead we have the first major championship since the emergence late last year of the so called big three of Day, Spieth and McIlroy.
Or is it six? Because you can add the names of Adam Scott, Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson to the mix, because it has been that kind of year.
Spieth’s defence of his title will be fascinating to watch.
Watch @RickieFowler match the hole-in-one from @JustinThomas34 on No. 4 during the Par 3 Contest. #themastershttps://t.co/z2MyYH9QBd
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 6, 2016
After a brilliant early-season win in Hawaii, the precocious double major winner from last year has been just a little flat in terms of form. And in his press conference this week he seems to be strategically deflecting attention from his own campaign.
“Isn’t Jason (Day) the favourite this year?” asked Spieth. “I’ll just go about and do my thing.”
And Day is the favourite. Not only is he the world number one, he has won six of the last 13 events that he has played in and he had gone win-win in his last two tournaments.
“I feel good about my game and comfortable to be walking around the grounds as world number one,” said Day.
“I know I cannot take that for granted but I do feel good with how I am playing, and where I’m at, mentally and physically."
Follow our live tracker of the Masters here on RTÉ.ie for the duration of this year's event in Augusta.
