Americans wanted to break Europe's dominance in the Masters Tournament but couldn't seem to find the right man.

A trio of Americans - Jim Gallagher, Mark McCumber and Lanny Wadkins - seized the opening-round lead with 67s.

And Tom Watson, 10 years removed from his last win in Augusta, posted consecutive rounds of 68 to seize the 36-hole lead.

Ian Woosnam, of Wales, got off to a slow start with 72 but roared into contention with a second-round 66.

Playing in the final group in 1991 with two-time Masters champ Tom Watson, the galleries were decidedly pro-American.

“`There were a few people out there trying to give me a hard time and trying to get to me,'' Woosnam said after the round. ``I just tried to take that in my stride and try to play my own game.''

Woosnam, one of the shortest major champions in golf's history, stood tall heading into the final round. He had a one-shot lead over Watson and a three-shot edge over eventual runner-up Jose Maria Olazabal.

Woosnam, Watson and Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal all came to the final hole tied for the lead. Olazabal was the first to go, hitting into a pair of bunkers and making bogey.

That left Watson and Woosnam. Watson made a double bogey on the hole after driving into the woods and three-putting from 30 feet.

Woosnam, playing in the final pairing with Watson, had hit his tee shot over the fairway bunkers on the left. His second shot came up short on the fringe, and his third shot left him a 6-foot par putt for the victory.

The Welshman drained the putt, then crouched down and pumped his fist.

``You dream of holing a putt on the last hole to win the Masters,'' Woosnam said. ``The putt will be in my memory for a long time.''