Another season of majors is almost upon us - so will this be the one to see the first European champion of the 21st Century?

Padraig Harrington believes it could well happen. But he also thinks the Masters this coming week might prove the toughest of the four to break the drought.

"Because of the history at Augusta I think it's the hardest to win without being in contention in it before," said the Dubliner, whose best in six previous trips was fifth in 2002.

That was the year he led by three after playing the first 11 holes in six under par, but with a round to go he was six adrift of Tiger Woods and that was how he finished. He never got into the heat of the battle that final day.

"It seems to be a major that takes a bit of earning," added Harrington. "There's a lot going on that you've seen happen in the past."

He recalls speaking to Lee Westwood about the English golfer's experience in 1999. Westwood topped the leaderboard with nine holes remaining, but after slipping back to sixth place he admitted that entering Amen Corner the pressure built to such a level he started feeling sick.

"Lee says that something changed. I'm very aware that can happen, but I still look forward to being in contention," added Harrington.

And if not himself then he will be willing another European to victory - partly for selfish reasons.

Thomas Bjorn finished joint second in the US PGA last August, just a single stroke behind Phil Mickelson, and Harrington said: "Thomas was the only one who's come that close in a while and I wanted him to win not just because he is a friend, but also for me.

"Without doubt my winning twice in America last year makes it easier for other guys coming over. So the sooner a European wins a major the better it is for me - and it is going to happen. We've a lot of good players there."

Paul Lawrie's 1999 Open triumph at Carnoustie remains the last success, though. That is 26 majors ago and Europe has not had such a long barren spell since the 1970s.

When Seve Ballesteros lifted the 1979 Open at Royal Lytham it was the first victory by a European since Tony Jacklin won the 1970 US Open 37 majors earlier.

None had ever won at Augusta at that time, but Ballesteros broke the duck the following April, won again in 1983 and led the way for Bernhard Langer (twice), Sandy Lyle, Nick Faldo (three times), Ian Woosnam and Jose Maria Olazabal (twice) to follow.

All bar Ballesteros will be back next week, but only Olazabal has looked to have the game lately to cope with a course lengthened since last April to 7,445 yards — and he is concerned.

Luke Donald was a brilliant third last year and David Howell, also on his debut, 11th. They hope to do even better, of course, but Harrington, Westwood, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley must believe it could be their week too if everything comes together.

The same ought to apply to Colin Montgomerie, but after four successive missed cuts simply playing all four rounds on a course where he has had only one top-10 finish in 13 attempts — and bowed out early on three of his last four trips — would be a step in the right direction.

Woods, defending champion and winner of three of the last five Masters, has finished "only" 20th and 22nd in his last two tournaments and concerns over the health of his father have placed a question mark over his participation next
week.

But if he is there then no-one will be surprised if he is putting on a green jacket yet again next Sunday.

Everybody knows Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Retief Goosen have the tools to stop him - Mickelson has given a timely reminder of that in Atlanta this week - but it must be a lot easier going for a fifth victory than a second
one or, as is the case with Els and Goosen, a first.