Olesen shapes up as the new Great Dane

Graeme McDowell could have been speaking for the entire European contingent when he summed up his efforts at this year’s Masters.

The 2010 US Open champion had been part of an in-form expeditionary force, spearheaded by the Ryder Cup team that had triumphed on US soil at Medinah just seven months ago.

Yet like Ian Poulter, Europe’s man at the centre of the Miracle of Medinah in late September, McDowell was throwing the clubs into the boot of his car and making a solemn exit down Magnolia Lane on Friday night.