The Australian Masters Golf Tournament has been a very special one for me. It was a tournament I used to watch as a youngster as it was in my hometown of Melbourne each February. 

I caddied in the event for a friend of mine when I was 14 years old and then in 1988 I played my 1st Masters and won the leading amateur at the event. I turned pro soon after.
In 1992 I lead the event by 2 strokes heading into the back nine but fell away into a tie for 4th behind Craig Parry with Greg Norman in 2nd place.
I learned my lesson the following year in 1993 shooting a 7 under par 66 in the final round to this time pass Norman and Parry and tie Peter Senior for the title. I would oust Senior on the 1st playoff hole to win the coveted 'Gold Jacket'.
In 1994 as defending Champion I played the first 2 rounds with Greg Norman, which was a blast. I made the cut and finished around 22nd that year.
In 1996 I was again in the hunt before once again Craig Parry outlasted me at the finish and I was relegated to runner- up this time. It was Parry's third Masters win.
My next appearance was in 1998 which I dominated after shooting a course record 10 under par 63 in the opening round. When the tournament was said and done I had in my possession the 18 hole scoring record- the 54 hole scoring record- the 72 hole scoring record and my second Masters title and gold jacket beating out a top class field of Westwood, O'Meara, Coltart, Brooks along with the great Australian golfers of the time.
Due to my playing commitments in the USA I did not come back to play the Australian Masters again until 2004. The course had been altered slightly and now played as a par 72. Not to be outdone I opened with 64-66 to claim the 36 hole scoring record. (I still currently hold all 18-36-54 & 72 hole scoring records for The Masters).
The weekend play saw me cool off a little but I regained the lead on Sunday when I birdied 15 & 16 but alas a poor decision on club selection on the 18th tee saw me miss the fairway by a yard or so and my ball ended up in a bush they had planted on the side of the fairway. I made a double bogey 6 and lost by 1 stroke finishing 4th. The bush was removed soon after by the club citing it was unfair to be so close to the fairway. I presume what happened to me made the decision an easier choice but it was too late to help my cause.
It is a little sad that The Masters is no longer played at Huntingdale Golf Club where "The Tradition Continued" for 30 years.
Below are some memories from Huntingdale from the non victorious years:

 
1996- Lining up a putt on the final day and walking with playing partner John Daly during the second round action.
I would finish runner-up to Craig Parry

 
2004- Holing my 20 foot putt on 18 in the second round for a 66 and a tournament record 36 hole score of 130- 14 under par
And the media reminder from Monday's papers after my last hole blow up to lose by 1 stroke... wish I had that $175,000 back now !