• The Sportsbet Australian Masters became part of The European Tour International Schedule for the first time in the 2007 season. The event was the fifth different co-sanctioned tournament staged in Australia.The others were: ANZ Championship (2002-04), Greg Norman Holden International (2000-01), Heineken Classic (1996-2005) and Johnnie Walker Classic (1997, 02, 03, 05).
• Huntingdale Golf Club will be staging the 30th Sportsbet Australian this year. It has hosted the event every year since it began in 1979, won by New Zealand’s Barry Vivian. Six Major Champions have triumphed. They are: Gene Littler (1980), Norman (1981, 83, 84, 87, 88, 89), Bernhard Langer (1985), Mark O’Meara (1986), Ian Baker-Finch (1988) and Michael Campbell (2000).
• Aaron Baddeley, the 2008 champion, has the distinction of winning both his European Tour International Schedule events on home soil – the other being the 2001 Greg Norman Holden International. In addition, both came via a play-off. He defeated Sergio Garcia for his first win and Daniel Chopra 12 months ago.
• Bradley Hughes of Australia has the honour of recording the lowest 72 hole total – 268 en route to claiming the title in 1998
• Last season’s event saw European Tour history made by Australian amateur Aaron Pike, who lead after 18 and 36 holes. It was the first time an amateur had been in front at the end of both round one and two, in a European Tour event. He eventually finished fourth.
• Pike opened the 2007 MasterCard Masters with a course record-equalling 64. He is only the third amateur to establish or match an existing course record in a European Tour, joining Sven Strüver – 62 (-9) (1989 German Open) and Adam Scott – 63 (-10) (2000 Greg Norman Holden International).
