Ballesteros clinched the Masters at the age of 23

In 1961, the South African became the first overseas golfer to don the Green Jacket over his distinctive black attire.

Though he went on to win the title on two more occasions in the following two decades, it took Ballesteros' sensational victory in 1980 to break the grip of the American golfers.

Twnety one years later, the Masters scoreboard reads Europe 11, America nine, with Vijay Singh's victory last year a rare moment of glory for Fiji.

One golfer in particular kept Europe at bay in the post-war years.

Palmer: Four-time Masters winner

He birdied seven out of the last 10 holes to win his third Green Jacket by a shot from defending champion, American Tom Watson.

By now, the event had a huge following in Europe, having been broadcast by the BBC via satellite for the previous decade.

So when three years later Ballesteros fired a record 23 birdies to become the youngest winner of the tournament at the age of 23, the whole of Europe cheered.

The Spaniard's success signalled the beginning of a European renaissance as America's top pros finally found they had a fight on their hands on home turf.

Nicklaus: Seven-under par final round clinched victory by a stroke

The Nicklaus fairytale was followed by four glorious years for Europe, when Lyle and Woosnam clinched thrilling victories for Scotland and Wales, either side of back-to-back wins by England's Nick Faldo.

In 1989, Faldo holed a 25-foot birdie putt at the second play-off hole to defeat Americans Scott Hoch and Ben Crenshaw.

And Ray Floyd thought he had the title sewn up the following year as Faldo entered the final six holes four strokes behind the US veteran.

But Faldo, in his putting prime, made three birdies to tie on 10-under-par and force another play-off, which he won at the second extra hole.

As Ballesteros faded from the scene, it was the turn of countryman Jose Maria Olazabal to lead the European charge at Augusta.

Lyle's seven iron from a bunker to the 18th green is legendary at Augusta

The 27-year-old performed miracles on the notoriously dastardly Georgia greens in 1994, taking just one putt at 30 of the 72 holes to finish two shots clear of US star Tom Lehman.

The Europeans were nowhere in sight 12 months later, when Ben Crenshaw wept on the 18th green after winning by a shot from Davis Love III.

Faldo sealed his hat-trick in 1996, but the closing stages will be remembered for a disastrous collapse, the most calamitous in Masters history, by perennial bridesmaid, Greg Norman.

The Australian was six shots ahead of playing partner Faldo going into the final round, but he famously found the lake on his way to a 78 as the Briton took the title by five shots.

By 1997, America was firmly back in the asendancy, as a young man named Eldrick Woods arrived with a bang.

At the age of 21, Tiger blazed his way around the rhodendendron-lined course, breaking the tournament record to finish on 18 under par.

Norman: Has never fully recovered from his collapse in 1996

He was just 21, beating Ballesteros' by two years to the tag of youngest ever winner.

No European finished inside the top five with Costantino Rocca and Langer, more than a dozen shots behind Woods, best placed.

Darren Clarke was the only golfer from this side of the Atlantic in the top eight the following year when Mark O'Meara holed a 20-foot birdie putt at the 18th to win his first Masters in 15 attempts.

But in 1999 Olazabal's second Masters victory apparently promised much for Europe's upcoming challenge at the Ryder Cup in Brookline.

It looked good for Mark James' men until the Amercians staged one of the greatest final day comebacks in the history of the event, to win back the cup by a single point.

Whether Woods can tip the Masters scales back towards the USA remains to be seen.