Jason Day may have missed out on becoming the first, but the world No.3 still wants to be the youngest Australian golfer to win the Masters after a series of Augusta near misses.
With a clear mind and his mother resting at home post-lung cancer surgery, world No.3 Day arrived at Augusta National last week to play daily nine-hole practice rounds during intense preparation with long-time caddie and coach Colin Swatton.
Day's preparation for the first major of 2017 suffered an emotional blow when he withdrew mid-round from the WGC-Match Play in March to be with mother Dening while she had surgery to remove a 3.5cm tumour from her lung on March 24 in near Day's home state of Ohio.
The Queenslander has previously expressed heartache at letting slip a two-shot lead on the 16th tee during the final round of the 2013 Masters, allowing countryman Adam Scott to end Australia's 77-year hoodoo at Augusta National.
Day also held a share of the clubhouse lead on a dramatic Sunday back nine in 2011, only for South Africa's Charl Schwartzel to storm home with four closing birdies.
With two top-threes and another top-10 finish in six Masters starts, 29-year-old Day is desperate to become the youngest Australian winner by three years at Augusta this week.
"Being the youngest Australian would be humbling because you'd likely hold that title for a while," Day told AAP.
"You'd be able to walk around with that green jacket knowing you accomplished one of your life goals."
Day won his first major at the US PGA Championship in 2015 and carded superb results in the four big dances of 2016, sharing 10th place at the Masters, eighth at the US Open, a top 25 at the British Open before nearly defending his PGA Championship title, finishing runner up.
But the Masters green jacket is the major he wants the most.
"Any time you're able to win a major is huge, whichever one that is, but the Masters I hold a little closer to my heart because of watching Tiger win in 1997 and being so close to winning myself in 2011 and 2013," said Day.
When the Masters kicks off on Thursday (Friday AEDT), Day will draw confidence from the fact he started the final round in 2016 on the same score as eventual winner Danny Willett.
The Englishman fired a five-under-par 67 to steal victory from leader Jordan Spieth, who collapsed on the back nine.
"Willett played tremendous golf that day and it goes to show you're never really out of the fight," said Day.
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