AUSTRALIAN Craig Parry won his third Australian Masters title in Melbourne yesterday and said he would like to break world number one, Greg Norman's record of six.

Parry, who also won at the par-73 Huntingdale course in 1992 and 1994, prevailed when a challenge from compatriot Bradley Hughes, the 1993 champion, faltered at the last two holes.

Parry kept his nerve to make safe pars at the 17th and 18th holes. Hughes bogeyed the 17th to drop a shot behind, then lost all hope of a second title when he drove into trees lining the final fairway and finished with another bogey.

Parry finished on 13-under-par 279 after rounds of 71, 66, 71 and 71.

Despite his disappointing finish, Hughes still held on to second place by one shot ahead of Australia's Jeff Wagner. Third round leader Rick Gibson of Canada fell away to a 76 and finished another shot back, level with Australians Robert Allenby and Jon Evans were another shot back on 283.

British Open champion John Daly of the United States could only match par in the final round to finish nine shots off the lead on 288 for a share of 13th place.

Five-times British Open champion Tom Watson, runner-up last year, finished 17 shots behind Parry on four-over par 296 after a closing round of 76.

While Norman was not in the field this year, Parry, who led going into the final round of the 1992 US Masters, said he believed he could match his record of six Masters victories.

"I think I can get it, especially when he's not playing," Parry said.