Europe's seven-year itch

Paul Lawrie's surprise win at Carnoustie was the second victory in a major for European golf in 1999

And when 19-year-old Sergio Garcia ran Tiger Woods close at Medinah a month later, things looked rosy for Old World golf

Nobody got a look-in during the "Tiger Slam" years but Swede Niclas Fasth went close at the 2001 Open

Twelve months later, Thomas Levet went even closer - eventually losing to Ernie Els at the fifth extra hole

But worse was to follow in 2003 when Denmark's Thomas Bjorn wasted a three-shot lead with four to play at Sandwich

After two fallow years for European golf, Colin Montgomerie raised hopes at St Andrews... before falling away

Bjorn then followed that with his third runner-up finish at a major, this time at the 2005 USPGA at Baltusrol

Whatever Bjorn couldn't do, Monty couldn't do better - a fifth second-place at a major came for the Scot at the US Open

Not that Bjorn and Monty have a monopoly of major mishaps, Padraig Harrington also just missed out at Winged Foot

So with no win in 28 majors, let's remember a time when European golfers regularly mastered the majors

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