Ivey making a run for it going into day four of the Aussie Millions

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By Rusch

The world's most feared poker professional, Phil Ivey, will today continue his return from tournament exile when goes into battle against the 25 survivors in the $6.5 million Aussie Millions poker tournament at Melbourne's Crown Casino.

Since making a statement regarding his decision to miss the 2011 World Series of Poker, Ivey has made only a few poker-related appearances. He's taken part in the Macau cash games and played in the APPT Macau main event, but he hasn't been part of the poker circuit since Black Friday.

The biggest buy-in events always brought out Ivey. PCA's $100,000 Super High Roller came and went without Ivey, but the $100,000 Challenge at the Aussie Millions tempted the player many believe to be the best in the world. Ivey was part of the 22-player field and unfortunetly bubbled the final table and watched as Dan Smith captured 1.1 million AUD.

The 10,000 AUD main event offered three starting days and on the third day, Ivey began his chase for the 1.6 million AUD top prize. Robert Lam may have ended Day 1C with the chip lead, but it was all about Ivey's third-place finish.

Day 2 ended with Ivey in second and the money bubble about to burst. On Day 3, the field of 75 became 26 after only three levels and Ivey, in sixth, was one of seven players to bag than one million in chips at the end of play.

Matthew Turk will bring in the chip lead when Day 4 action begins late Thursday night on the east coast. His previous best live cash is for $3,742 for a third-place finish in a 200 pound event in 2010. His minimum cash at this point is 35,000 AUD.

While Ivey's run steals headlines, there are a number of other established pros still in contention. Lee Nelson, the 2006 champion of this event, begins the day in 10th; WSOP bracelet winner Dan Idema is in seventh, and both Grant Levy and David Steicke will have to work their way back from short stacks to continue their bid for Aussie Millions victory.

Im sure everbody will be keeping an eye out on the fourth day to see how Ivey fairs with only 26 players returning for a shot at the 1.6 million AUD.