Norman consoles Aussies after more Masters misery

AUGUSTA, Georgia — The jinx of Australian golfers having never won the Masters remained intact on Sunday after another Augusta National heartbreaker for co-runner-ups Adam Scott and Jason Day.But Greg Norman, the master of Masters near-misses, telephoned the Down Under duo with words of support after they settled for second, two strokes behind winner Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, on 12-under par 276."He was very proud of us," Day said. "He's very proud of what we did out there and how we played. I don't think there's going to be a drought for too long. I think Australian golf is right where it needs to be."Australian players have won nine British Opens, four PGA Championships and two US Open titles, but the only one of golf's greatest prizes that has proven elusive is a Masters crown.Day and Scott joined three Aussies who were second in prior Masters - Bruce Crampton in 1972, Jack Newton in 1980 and Norman three times, in 1986 to Jack Nicklaus' epic win at age 46, to a Larry Mize chip-shot in a 1987 playoff and to a last-day collapse in 1996 that gave Nick Faldo a third Masters crown."It has been a big deal for Australia, especially since Greg was getting close so many times," said Geoff Ogilvy, who shared fourth with Tiger Woods and England's Luke Donald on 278.Ogilvy birdied 12 through 16 to reach 10-under par and put himself into contention."I thought I had a chance," Ogilvy said. "It's nice to finish the week with my best nine holes."Ogilvy's US Open title in 2006 is the only major triumph by an Australian in the past 15 years, but Day expects that will change soon, hopefully at the Masters."There's a lot of young, good Australian golfers coming up right now through the ranks. One of us is going to win that green jacket one day," Day said."It was unfortunate that me or Scotty couldn't finish it off. We fell short a little but it just shows how good Australian golf is right now."Day, in only his third major, could have been the first player since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 to win the Masters in his firs

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