Europeans eye Major win

It is one of golf's most tiresome facts, but it remains that no European has won a Major tournament for 8 years. The Open returns to Carnoustie on Thursday, where Englishman Paul Lawrie defeated Jean Van de Velde in a play-off in 1999, and Europe's top players will battle it out amongst the rest-of-the-world to end Lawrie's reign.

There is not doubt Europe has produced world-class players in recent years. Three, Henrik Stenson, Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington, sit in the top 10 of the world rankings and Europe has defeated America comfortably in the last three Ryder Cups.

Donald, ranked 9th, is a genuine contender for this year's Open having enjoyed arguably his finest season to date. As Europe's second highest ranked golfer on the PGA Tour and Britain's number one, he will be looking to make The Open at Carnoustie his first Major win.

Whilst Donald's record in The Open is not great (he missed cuts from 2002-2004, came 52nd in 2005 and 35th in 2006), the undulating fairways and deep bunkers of links golf can produce an unlikely winner.

Carnoustie has been hailed a success this year, with players complimenting the course during this weeks practice rounds. However it's a far cry from 1999 when it adopted the nickname, 'Carnasty'. Rock-hard fairways and knee-deep rough caused outrage amongst the playing field, more used to the pristine conditions found at The US Open and The Masters.

Lawrie, ranked 159th in the world at the time, beat Van de Velde and American Justin Leonard in a play-off after Van de Velde blew a three shot lead going into the final hole of normal play, scoring a triple-bogey.

Lawrie remains The Open's forgotten winner, 1999 better remembered for Van de Velde's capitulation, but if a European was to triumph at Carnoustie this time round, they would be sure to receive the adulation Lawrie deserved.