European contenders remain also-rans

EUROPEAN Tour headquarters at Wentworth may boast that one of their leading members has captured the US Open.

However, Angel Cabrera is Argentinian to the core and there is no avoiding the reality that European golfers are as far away as ever from bridging the ever widening gap since Tony Jacklin won the title by five shots at Hazeltine in 1970.

The performances of some of the leading Euros at Oakmont were desperately disappointing. Top of the list, sad to relate, were our own Pádraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia who missed the cut, and Luke Donald who was eliminated by Cabrera’s birdie at the 18th on Friday evening. All three had been among the top European hopes before a ball was struck.