Ian Poulter did his usual strutting, insisting: "It's the Masters, I love it. It is a serious test of golf, a test of patience. I am understanding the golf course more and more."
But not enough, clearly, as the 33-year-old closed with a 74 to join Casey and Justin Rose on two under.
Rose made an uncharacteristic poor start with a 74, recovered with rounds of 70 and two 71s, and then observed: "I did enough to make me think that I am getting better. When I look back I shall be proud of myself."
The 28-year-old (right) may claim to be feeling proud but that can't disguise the fact he finished a very long way behind Cabrera and carded the same four-round total as 51-year-old Sandy Lyle. Only a bogey five at the last stopped the 1988 Masters champion finishing the top Briton outright. What a blow to young pride that would have been.
At least the massively hyped 19-year-old Rory McIlroy, yet another home hope to finish on two-under, offered a glimmer of hope for the future by carding just 31 for the final nine holes. The Uksterman said: "I know I have the game to compete in majors now. I always knew that, but it was a matter of going out and proving it."
Graeme McDowell, also from Northern Ireland, was the top European finisher on four under for a share of 17th place. "It is still a work in progress," he said. "I have a lot more work to do before I can hopefully slip on a Green Jacket."
McDowell is 29. Just how much time does he want?
At least European No1 Padraig Harrington has three majors to his name. But the Dubliner's challenge for a third successive major never really got going, and it effectively finished with a quadruple bogey nine at the second hole of his third round.
Londoner Ross Fisher, 28, opened and closed with 69s to come in one under par, two ahead of 31-year-old Luke Donald. "I felt like I left a few shots out there," said Fisher. "It could have been a lot better."
Indeed, he could have been speaking for all his countrymen.
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