Hopes of an 'Aussie Slam' were dashed but Australia's golfers are out to continue an impressive run of contending for victory in major championships at the British Open this week.
Jason Day fell agonisingly short of making it back-to-back Australian major winners, finishing tied second at last month's US Open following Adam Scott's Masters triumph.
But if recent history is any guide, Australians will again be in the mix for glory at Muirfield on Sunday.
The nation has had at least one top-10 finisher in nine of the past 11 major championships.
That run has included Scott's win, four runner-up finishes - including three by Day - and eight top-five placings.
Scott said Australia's recent presence at the business end of big tournaments had helped make up for a lean run in regular US PGA Tour events.
Outside the majors, only Marc Leishman, Aaron Baddeley and Scott have won PGA Tour events since 2010.
"It's been really good because we haven't been winning as much on the PGA Tour," Scott told AAP.
"I guess we got used to it over the last 20 years. Let's say even going back to (Greg) Norman and (Steve) Elkington through the 90s and then (Robert) Allenby and (Stuart) Appleby and myself, (Geoff) Ogilvy and others I've left off, we were used to seeing five or six wins a year from the Aussie guys.
"It's getting tougher but it's great to see guys playing better in the majors on a regular basis.
"Especially Jason, he's really quickly putting together a great little resume in the majors and is a serious, serious contender."
The form of the nation's big guns has helped to inspire the rest of a 12-strong Australian British Open contingent, which features two major rookies and a handful of players with limited experience at top level.
Brett Rumford, who heads into his third major having won two European events back-to-back this season, expects Australia's strong showing to also have a flow-on effect for years to come.
"These guys, they've got big games and games to win majors," Rumford said.
"Hopefully they'll inspire the next generation of Australian golfers to come through the ranks and perform at these major championships."
The 142nd Open begins on Thursday.
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