Bethesda, Maryland: While the European Tour celebrated its fifth successive major champion after Rory McIlroy's astonishing eight-shot victory at the US Open, American golf grappled with an unprecedented title drought.
For the first time since the Masters was launched in 1934, US players have failed to triumph in five consecutive majors. Not since 1994 has a year gone by without an American holding at least one of the four grand slam crowns.
Northern Irishman McIlroy coasted to victory in record-breaking style at Congressional Country Club to follow in the footsteps of his compatriot Graeme McDowell, who clinched last year's US Open.
Following McDowell's major breakthrough, South African Louis Oosthuizen won the 2010 British Open, Germany's Martin Kaymer landed the 2010 PGA Championship and South African Charl Schwartzel claimed his first major at the Masters in April.
For the first time since the Masters was launched in 1934, US players have failed to triumph in five consecutive majors. Not since 1994 has a year gone by without an American holding at least one of the four grand slam crowns.
Northern Irishman McIlroy coasted to victory in record-breaking style at Congressional Country Club to follow in the footsteps of his compatriot Graeme McDowell, who clinched last year's US Open.
Following McDowell's major breakthrough, South African Louis Oosthuizen won the 2010 British Open, Germany's Martin Kaymer landed the 2010 PGA Championship and South African Charl Schwartzel claimed his first major at the Masters in April.
