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Robert’s parents emigrated from Leeds where his father,Don, was a professional. He established himself as one of the finest young amateurs in Australia, coming within awhisker of winning the 1990 Australian Open and winning the 1991 Victorian Open.
After turning professional Robert made his intentions clear with an excellent win in the 1992 Johnnie Walker Classic in his home town of Melbourne. He recorded eight top ten finishes in his first season on the Australasian Tour and won both the Order of Merit and Rookie of the Year.
Robert managed to win at least once in each year until 1996 when he confirmed his emergence as one of theleading players in the World with three victories on the
European Tour to finish 3rd on the Order of Merit. However, serious injuries resulting from a a car crash in Spain slowed his progress at the end of 1996 and the start of 1997.
By 1998 Robert had fully recovered and re-established himself as one of Australia’s leading golfers, finishing the year tied fourth in the 1998 Holden Australian Open. At the end of the year Robert attended the gruelling six round Qualifying Tournament to secure his US PGA Tour
card for 1999.
After successfully retaining his playing privileges in his opening year in the US, he took out his first win in the US at the Shell Houston Open beating Graig
Stadler in a play-off. Robert followed up by winning the prestigious Western Open in early July and finished the season in 12th place on the Money List.
His excellent form continued back in Australia where he recorded course records of 64 in the space of six days at Kingston Heath Golf Club and Royal Queensland. After finishing runner up at the Australian Open, Robert went one better the following week to win the Australian PGA Championship for the first time.
In February 2001 Robert birdied the first extra hole at Riviera Country Club to win a six man play off for the Nissan Open - extending his play-off record to 7-
0. A remarkable record that bears testimony to his talent, determination and self belief.
Robert capped off his best year to date with a further victory in the US, taking out the Pennsylvania Classic, then successfully defending a title for the first time, winning the 2001 Australian PGA Championship.
Travels from New South Wales
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