The first High Roller Challenge of the 2020 Aussie Millions is just a few days away, as the poker community gears up for some of the most prestigious five- and six-figure buy-in tournaments of the year.

In anticipation of his year's tournaments, PokerNews takes a look back at the Challenge winners from the 2019 Aussie Millions.

Anton Morgenstern Wins A$25,000 Pot Limit Omaha ($530,640)

It was a spectacular come-from-behind win for Anton Morgenstern in the A$25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Challenge after defeating Farid Jattin heads-up.

Jattin held more than two thirds of the chips in play heads-up, with the Colombian starting with a 4:1 chip leader. However, two doubles for the German saw him battle back to secure victory in the first Challenge Event of the 2019 Aussie Millions.

"I went into the heads-up match honestly expecting to just get second," said Morgensterna fter his victory. "But sometimes the cards just come your way and you fight back.

"When we finally got even in chips he was asking for a deal, and I declined...and flopped a full house the next hand!"

Rainer Kempe Wins A$25,000 Challenge (A$826,465*)

Good things come to those who wait, and the poker community was waiting until shortly before 4 a.m. local time for Rainer Kempe to clinch victory in the A$25,000 Challenge.

He chopped heads-up with 2018 Aussie Millions Main Event winner Toby Lewis to win his first ANTON Jewellery Championship ring, four years after a runner-up finish in the 2015 Aussie Millions Accumulator.

"It's really cool," remarked Kempe shortly after his win. "I was kind of close to winning an Aussie Millions ring in one of my first live deep runs so it's nice to close this one out, so that's awesome.

A$25,000 Challenge Results

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Toby Lewis Wins A$50,000 Challenge (A$818,054*)

Toby Lewis ensured that his 2018 Aussie Millions Main Event win was no fluke, after taking down the A$50,000 Challenge after a heads-up deal with Manig Loeser, topping a record field of 62 players.

The victory was made all the sweeter for Lewis who, just a few days before this result, finished second in the A$25,000 Challenge to Rainer Kempe.

"I’m just very fortunate," Lewis told PokerNews after securing victory. "I didn’t even intend on playing it, I was so tired after the AU$25,000 Challenge.

"But it looked like such a good event, it got so much more players than last year so kinda felt the need to jump in and the guys were willing me in so I just went for it."

A$50,000 Challenge Results

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Cary Katz Wins A$100,000 Challenge (A$1,481,760)

The A$100,000 Challenge was first held in 2006 and has a rich and storied history, with notable winners including John Juanda, Howard Lederer, Dan Shak, Sam Trickett and Andrew Robl over its 14-year history.

The largest buy-in event of the 2019 Aussie Millions attracted 42 players, the third-highest attendance in the event over its 14-year history, trailing only 2014 and 2015 with 76 and 70 entrants respectively.

In the end, it was Cary Katz who defeated Johannes Becker heads-up to scoop the A$1,481,760 first prize and ANTON Jewellery Championship ring.

Not only was this Katz's first victory on Australian shores, it was his first ever cash, and one that left him feeling "pretty amazing."

"I got remarkably lucky," Katz told PokerNews at the time "So I'm very grateful.

"I think the Aussie Millions is an amazing event and the turnout is going to be even better next year!"

A$100,000 Challenge Results

Tags: Andrew RoblAnton MorgensternAussie MillionsCary KatzDan ShakFarid JattinHoward LedererToby LewisSam TrickettRainer KempeManig LoeserJohn JuandaJohannes Becker