Some of the answers seemed reasonable. Europeans grow up dreaming of winning the British Open, not the Masters, so they aren't intimidated by the aura of Augusta National. Also, back home they play on courses that are not as well manicured as those in the U.S. and therefore are better at the little shots around the green that are so crucial at Augusta.

Tom Watson might have had the best-and simplest-explanation. "When you're looking for favorites," he said, "you go to the leading players." And in 1991 they were mostly Europeans.