Colin Montgomerie keeps Europe's tame Masters effort in perspective

European No 1 Westwood, who finished second at last week's Masters, and WGC-Accenture Match Play winner Poulter have been identified by American captain Corey Pavin as Montgomerie's key to European success in Wales.

But with Phil Mickelson superbly claiming a third green jacket from Westwood at Augusta and world No 1 Tiger Woods impressively finishing tied for fourth following his five-month exile, the momentum has certainly swung America's way, with only eight Europeans making the cut at the first major of the season.

Europe had gathered pace at the start of the year leading up to Poulter's Match Play success, but at the Masters, Sergio Garcia finished well down the field while Luke Donald, Soren Hansen, Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Paul Casey, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer missed the cut.

"I think I just have to ride the wave and hope they peak at the right time," said Montgomerie, a five-time Ryder Cup winner as a player. "We did have a peak around the World Match Play time which was super for European golf, but I must admit only two in Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood played well and honoured their ranking (at Augusta].

"The rest of the European team didn't perform the way they would have expected; a number of the top players weren't even playing at the weekend.

"But that's not too much of a worry for me at this stage in April, but at the same time, I would like them to perform a little bit better come the US Open (in June]."

Miguel Angel Jimenez, in a share of 12th, just missed out on joining Westwood and Poulter inside the top ten at Augusta, while Francesco Molinari and Soren Kjeldsen, who were tied for a share of 30th, represented Europe's next best result.

Kaymer has already won this year in Abu Dhabi, but a downbeat McIlroy has even admitted he may take a break to rest a niggling back injury and rediscover his game, while Garcia and Stenson have long struggled for genuine consistency.

Montgomerie paid tribute to the rejuvenated Americans. "All credit to Phil Mickelson," added the Scot. "To go out in the last group and not make a bogey on a golf course which is so difficult is tremendous golf and you just shake his hand and say well played.

"It's also super Tiger Woods has come back, it's great for golf. It's great to see him back and contending in the way he wished he would so let's hope he comes back full-time as soon as possible."

Woods' impressive return was certainly another boost for Pavin, who lines up alongside Montgomerie at this week's Volvo China Open, with Mickelson's triumph coming hot on the heels of Anthony Kim, who finished third at Augusta, winning the Shell Houston Open.

It remains to be seen when Woods next takes to the course after revealing he plans to take another break from golf, although the 14-time major winner is expected to feature at the US Open in June after submitting his entry form for the Pebble Beach event.

"I was obviously glad to see him play again, but other things are way more important in his life," said Pavin, twice a Ryder Cup winner as a player.

"He thought it was the right time to play again and I was delighted to see him play again and play well and he moved into the top eight on our points list which is a good thing as far as I am concerned.

"I don't know what Tiger's schedule is, I don't know when he is going to play again. I don't think he knows. I hope he plays some more and continues to play well and makes the team, but I will just have to wait and see what his schedule is."

Woods' performance at Augusta moved him up to seventh and into an automatic qualification place on the USA Ryder Cup points table which is currently topped by Mickelson and Kim.