Europe's long wait for another Masters champion goes on after Bubba Watson's second victory in three years at Augusta, but at least another name can be added to the list of contenders for the second year running.

Last year it was Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen who was making his debut in the event and playing only the fourth major championship of his career, the 24-year-old finishing joint sixth and the top European on four under par.

Twelve months on it was Sweden's Jonas Blixt making his debut and playing only the third major of his career, the 29-year-old finishing joint second on five under par, three behind Watson.

Blixt was just 14 years old when Jose Maria Olazabal won his second green jacket in 1999, but despite his inexperience in major championships, the former ice hockey player is already building an impressive record in golf's four biggest events.

Blixt finished 26th on his Open debut at Muirfield last year and followed that up with fourth place in the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill, partnering fellow Swede Henrik Stenson in the penultimate group in the final round.

"I think they are a lot of fun to play," Blixt said with a smile when asked about his major appearances. "It's really tough. You beat your head in a little bit but you can't beat yourself up too bad.

"But I love majors. I love when it's tough, when it's not a shootout. The harder the better."

Blixt attended Florida State university and still lives in Jacksonville, but is a member of the European Tour and therefore eligible for the Ryder Cup in September - assuming he plays the required 13 European Tour events.

"It would be a lifelong dream to appear on one of those teams," said Blixt, who moved up to 16th on the world points list.

"I'm going to do everything I can, absolutely everything, to be on that team.

"I'm going to try to play as good as I can in order so he (Europe captain Paul McGinley) doesn't have a choice but to pick me. But if I don't, I want the Europeans to win and I'll support them as much as I can."

Miguel Angel Jimenez's fourth place boosted his chances of becoming Europe's oldest Ryder Cup player at Gleneagles, while Thomas Bjorn's share of eighth place keeps him on course for a place in the side.

Lee Westwood gained some much-needed points with his seventh place and headed to Malaysia feeling his game is getting back on track under new coach Mike Walker.

"The Masters probably came a couple of weeks too early," said Westwood, who has now played a record 64 majors without a victory.

Rory McIlroy's winless streak in majors is just five thanks to his victory in the 2012 US PGA Championship, but the 24-year-old Northern Irishman had the consolation of a best finish at Augusta in six attempts with a share of eighth place.