So much for the theory that Padraig Harrington's victory in last month's Open Championship at Carnoustie would have an inspirational effect on his fellow Europeans. The floodgates that were supposed to have been thrown open by his long-awaited triumph have remained tightly shut in Tulsa, where only the merest dribble from Europe has leaked on to the leaderboard.

Harrington, the first European to win a major in eight years, laboured though the PGA Championship, finishing on eight over after a final-round 74. While he can be forgiven mediocrity after his heroics in Scotland, the big names who were meant to follow his example - Justin Rose, Luke Donald and Paul Casey - have no such excuse.

Rose has done enough this year to suggest that a major is only a matter of time, but he was off the boil at steamy Southern Hills, where he finished 10 shots behind the winner, Tiger Woods. Ian Poulter was 13 behind, Donald and Lee Westwood 14, Casey 15. Sergio Garcia was disqualified, which maybe wasn't such a bad thing, given the trouble he was having. Henrik Stenson, of whom so much was expected just a few short months ago, missed the cut.

Britain's best contribution to the season's final major came from the unlikeliest of sources. While Hartlepool's Graeme Storm ended up last of those who made the cut, the first-round leader kept the Americans amused with his tales from the cake factory. In the final round, Simon Dyson, 91st in the world, shot a 64 that earned him a tie for sixth. However adept he is at contending in Asia, few would have tipped the 29-year-old to be the tournament's top European. Denmark's Anders Hansen was next on two over par, which was good enough for 12th place.

This is rarely a productive tournament for the European Tour. The Wanamaker Trophy hasn't been lifted by a Europe-born player since the "Silver Scot", Tommy Armour, did it in 1930, and he was a naturalised American. On Sunday night, plenty of Europeans earned a decent enough cheque to comfort them in the eight months between now and their next major, but these days, with Europe's major bogey laid, and their continued domination of the Ryder Cup, better was expected.