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History and heartbreak: Aussies at Augusta

3 minute read

A look back through the Masters record books reveals Australia's rich history of first-timers, close calls and collapses at Augusta National.

Jason Day has gone close
Jason Day has gone close Picture: Donald Miralle/Getty Images

HIGHS AND LOWS FOR AUSTRALIAN GOLFERS AT THE MASTERS

FIRST AUSTRALIAN AT THE MASTERS:

* Jim Ferrier, born and raised in Manly, New South Wales, became the first Australian to play at the Masters in 1940 when, as an amateur, he finished 26th. However, Ferrier became a naturalised American citizen in 1944

* Ferrier became the first Australian-born player to earn a top 10 when he finished tied fourth at the 1946 Masters

AUSTRALIAN CLOSE CALLS:

1972 - Bruce Crampton tied for second behind Jack Nicklaus; it was Australia's first runner-up and best result at the Masters

1980 - Jack Newton came within three of Seve Ballesteros with five holes to play, but Ballesteros hung on to victory and Newton finished tied second

2011 - Jason Day and Adam Scott posted the clubhouse lead on Sunday, only for South Africa's Charl Schwartzel to birdie the final four holes to win by two

AUSTRALIAN COLLAPSES:

1950 - Ferrier led Jimmy Demaret by five shots with six holes to play, but bogeyed five of the last six holes to finish two strokes back as the runner-up

1986 - Greg Norman was tied with Nicklaus going into the 72nd hole. But Norman pushed his approach right on No.18, made bogey and handed Nicklaus his sixth Masters and 18th major. Norman was joint runner-up

1987 - Norman entered a three-way sudden-death playoff with Seve Ballesteros and Augusta native Larry Mize. Mize miraculously chipped for birdie from off the green on the par-4 11th (the second extra hole) and won when Norman failed to make his birdie putt

1996 - Norman blew a six-shot lead after 54 holes, handing Nick Faldo the green jacket in one of the most iconic losses in golf and sporting history. "I let this one get away," Norman said. "I'll wake up tomorrow morning still breathing, I hope."

MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS AUSTRALIANS OWN OR SHARE:

Most eagles in a tournament - Crampton set the record for most eagles (four) in a single Masters in 1974, but it was later equalled by Dustin Johnson (2009) and Tiger Woods (2010)

Course record - in 1996, Norman shot 63 on Thursday to equal Nick Price's 1986 record for lowest 18

Lowest front nine - Norman went out in 30 in the final round in 1988 and shares the record with Jonny Miller (1975), KJ Choi (2004), Phil Mickelson (2009) and Gary Woodland (2014)

Lowest first round - Norman (63) owns the record outright for lowest ever first round

Lowest second round - With a 64, Day (2011) shares the record with Miller Barber (1979) and Jay Haas (1995)

Lowest final round - Norman closed with a 64 in 1988 and shares the record with five others including Hale Irwin (1975) and Gary Player (1978)

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