By Andy Farrell
GolfWeb contributor

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- David Duval sounded chillingly on the mark. "If you are not on the top of your game, Augusta National is not where you want to be going," he said.

Fortunately for the supreme player of the moment, Duval is not only on the top of his game but everyone else's as well.

As he completed his second win in a row -- and 11th in 34 starts Sunday -- those of a European persuasion heading out on the two-hour drive from Atlanta to Augusta were not in the best of spirits.

The BellSouth Classic was not the best warm-up to the Masters for the Euros.

That is not the sort of short-game performance you want going into Augusta. On the other hand, his long game must be in pretty good shape.

Next best were Miguel Angel Jiménez and Gabriel Hjertstedt, who both recorded rounds of 67 during the week. They will both be visiting the Masters for the second time and hope to improve on previous missed cuts.

But it was gloom and doom for the three Britons in the field, especially Colin Montgomerie. The European No. 1 closed with a 76 to make the Scot a combined 19 over for his final rounds in the four tournaments he has played in America in the last month.

Woosnam better find a putter that works in a hurry. (AP)

"I lost interest at the end," said Montgomerie, who bogeyed the last three holes. "Nothing was happening. I didn't have any confidence going into the weekend, and I haven't got any leaving it. This was my 16th round in the States and the 16th time I've putted badly."

The only highlight of Monty's week at the BellSouth was a back-nine 31 Friday to make the cut. "It's amazing what happens when a putt goes in," Montgomerie said. "I had problems for 27 holes, I was very down, and then holed that one on 10. I didn't change anything, I didn't try anything new. I just wished it in, I suppose."

As for the Masters, a tournament at which Montgomerie has often struggled before finishing eighth last year, the Scot said: "I'm not worried about next week. It hasn't worked out in the past, and if it doesn't work out this time, it'll be no different. I am not going there with any expectations. I'm just going to play. It is just another tournament. I might do well, I might not."

Earlier, in calmer mood, Montgomerie did reveal one ambition at Augusta. "There is a bunker on the right side of the first fairway that I want to clear this year. I haven't done it yet, and I really want to clear that bloody bunker. The first tee is the thing that comes to mind when you talk about Augusta National to me."

Former Masters champion Ian Woosnam was so frustrated with his putting he handed over his putter to a 9-year-old boy, Michael Blahl, in the gallery after his final round of 75.

"My short game is diabolical. It is driving me nuts," said the Welshman. "What is disappointing is that I am beginning to hit the ball better, but I can't get the ball in the hole."

There are occasional flashes of the old Faldo. (AP)

Woosnam will contemplate returning to the broomhandled version at Augusta, but more importantly will first get treatment for the back injury he suffered Friday. "My back is sore more than anything else," he said.

"My back went on the ninth on Friday, and I knew as soon as I hit the shot that I was in trouble. This always seems to happen when I start swinging well again. Frank Nobilo gave me a tip to open my stance and I am back to drawing the ball again, as I used to, and hitting my irons further and with better flight."

And then there was Nick Faldo, the three-time Augusta champion. An opening 69 was just what Faldo needed after having a "eureka moment" earlier in the week. "That's what we need," Faldo said after his first sub-70 round of the year. "Very good. Where's it been?

"It came to me on Tuesday night how I used to work the ball," he added. "I had got defensive by trying not to hit a bad shot. Today I was just seeing the right shot and going for it. A few times I had to say to myself: 'Just do it.'

"Technically, I know it is really good. On the range, I am hitting whatever shots I want, just the way it was before. I have to go out and do it on the course. I've got defensive and wooden."

Faldo knows how quickly it can all come back, having practiced poorly before beating Greg Norman to win the '96 Masters. But his last win was the L.A. Open the following year.

Olazábal has lost all confidence. (AP)

"I was in such control then, but a week later it was not there. I have struggled since then, but I have won tournaments in worse shape than I am. It's a ridiculous fine line. The key now is to get off to a good start and get the momentum going. Sometimes you feel everything is uphill."

At least Faldo made the cut in Atlanta -- his second in a row and third of the year -- and now wants to play 72 holes at Augusta for the first time in three years. "I always love it there. It's a great place," he said.

Only one European missed the cut at the BellSouth. "I have no confidence," said José Maria Olazábal. "I cannot score." The driver, the weakest part of his game, may not be such a problem at Augusta -- or, with the changes, it might be.

Certainly, he does not have the problems of Seve Ballesteros, and Ollie's record at Augusta is good. The 1994 winner has finished in the top-24 on eight of the nine occasions he has made the cut. His stroke average of 71.78 is bettered only by Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Fred Couples among those who have played 25 rounds or more.

So, not finding much joy there, how about those who chose not to play at Sugarloaf? The best bet is Lee Westwood. The young Englishman has not truly contended in a major -- and in his last eight majors has been over par in the first round. But, as I wrote in the space last week, Westwood feels he is ready to compete for top honors now.

Darren Clarke was eighth in his debut last year, but is severely low on form and confidence this year.

Bernhard Langer, the '85 and '93 champion, is always reliable if conditions demand experience.

With two green jackets, Langer knows a great deal about Augusta National. (AP)

Per-Ulrik Johansson, showing signs of returning to the form that has made him a two-time Ryder Cup player, finished 12th in his previous outings at Augusta the last two years.

Johansson might be worth following, and it will be very interesting to see how two rookies, Patrik Sjöland and Thomas Bjørn, fare. They may surprise.

Two Europeans remain. Sergio Garcia is the coming man. The British Amateur champion has already dusted his American counterpart, Hank Kuehne, and shown he was just as long off the tee as Kuehne, who is considered to be the longest of them all.

Finally, there is the forgotten man of European golf. Playing only on sponsors' invitations in the States, Sandy Lyle's appearances are few and far between. Is the thought of Lyle adding to his 1988 victory too far-fetched? Probably.

But the thing is, if it all looks bad now, that will make a surprise next Sunday all the better.

Editor's note: GolfWeb contributor Andy Farrell offers the European perspective.