History and heartbreak in Australian quest for Masters glory

Augusta, Georgia: Before Adam Scott became the first Australian to win the Masters at Augusta National in 2013, Scott and his countrymen had some agonisingly close calls and collapses.

Here is a look at the highs and lows for Australian golfers at the Augusta major.

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 play-off with Seve Ballesteros and Augusta native Larry Mize. Mize miraculously chipped for birdie from off the green on the par-four 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).

AAP

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