Aussies look to end Masters drought

AUGUSTA, Ga.

Not that we should talk, those of us who live in a nation that failed to land one golfer among the top seven through three rounds of this year's Masters. Still, it is kind of conspicuous that through 74 previous editions of this venerable tournament, not one golfer from the proud golfing continent of Australia ever has won.

It is not for lack of interest. Down under, they always have had plenty of players capable of shooting 5 under. People love Royal Melbourne, which was designed by Alister Mackenzie, the architect of Augusta National. Golf is such an Australian attraction that youngsters are known to stay home from school on a Monday morning to watch the Masters live (that's when it airs, because of the time difference).

"We're not a huge country but we certainly get our fair share of guys in this tournament every year, it seems. No one's got over the line yet. But it's going to happen," said Adam Scott, 30, who admitted that he was one of those who skipped school to watch his hero Greg Norman in the Masters. Scott shot 5-under par 67 Saturday at Augusta National and put himself at least on the fringe of contention, five strokes behind Rory McIlroy.

Australia has at least two shots at it in the final round Sunday. Jason Day, who has played all three rounds with McIlroy, shot par Saturday and is at 8 under, four strokes behind the leader. Geoff Ogilvy is at 5 under. Maybe someone will break one of two famous hexes at Augusta: No one ever has won the Masters after winning the Par 3 Contest, or after having been born in Australia.

"I don't think the guys here carry a burden. I think no one here is thinking there's a voodoo on us from Australia," Scott said, mindful that his country has collected 15 major titles, including nine British Opens (two by Norman).

The Masters drought is so horrible because the Masters is such a big deal on TV and because so much heartache has been involved.

"I spent my whole childhood watching Greg play here and contend here a lot," said Scott. "I think the whole country did. I mean, Greg was bigger than just golf in Australia. He was an icon. The first Masters I watched was '87 and although I had not spent my whole life watching, that was even hard," Scott said, not having the stomach to go over the rough details: Larry Mize chipping in on the second playoff hole to beat Norman. That was a year after he gave up the third-round lead to lose to Jack Nicklaus.

Then there was the 1996 Masters where Norman blew a six-stroke lead on the final day and lost by five to Nick Faldo.

"There were almost tears at home that day," Scott said. "Ninety-six was hard to watch. So many people I knew by that point were close to Greg. Everyone was devastated. I guess the one thing I took from all that was he came in and he spoke to the press. I think we all learned he carried himself like a real gentleman and that's why we all loved Greg."

Norman helped promote golf as a global game, which is great for golf and not so hot for the U.S. Purely in terms of the standings, America's best hope for a green jacket today is Bo Van Pelt, in eighth place, six shots out of first and trailing players from Argentina, Korea, South Africa and England as well as Australia and Northern Ireland. To borrow an American expression, fuhgedda- boutit.

That is a long-term issue for the 50 states. Still, the U.S. has won seven of the past 10 Masters. Australia would dearly love just one.

"You know, one good round is all it [takes] from Jason or maybe myself or Geoff," Scott said. "One good round, and an Aussie can earn this championship."