Allenby to return to Sony Open
ASSOCIATED PRESS / 2015
In this Jan. 16, 2015 file photo, Robert Allenby, of Australia, lines up his ball on the third green during the second round of the Sony Open golf tournament in Honolulu.
KAPALUA » Robert Allenby is returning to the Sony Open and hopeful of a better outcome — on and off the golf course.
Allenby still doesn’t know what happened last year the night he missed the cut, a bizarre tale that left him with a bloodied scrape on his forehead and a black eye. The story gained traction because of a photo he posted to Facebook to let his children know what had happened. He was robbed of his credit cards and cellphone.
Allenby first said he was robbed, kidnapped, beaten and dumped in a park. When the account was disputed by homeless people in the park, Allenby said he was only repeating what he was told by those who found him when he regained consciousness.
“I think I just need to get back there and do my thing in a very positive way,” Allenby said in a text message.
A Hawaii man was arrested a month later for using his credit cards to buy gift cards, jewelry and clothing. Owen Harbison was sentenced in August to five years.
Allenby stood by his story, saying the media blamed him when he was the victim. He says he suspect someone slipped a drug in his drink because he had total memory loss during a 2 1/2-hour window from leaving the Amuse Wine Bar and being woken in the park.
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Golf Channel cited unidentified sources in a strip club that Allenby was at the Club Femme Nu and ran up a tab of $3,400. Honolulu Police Det. John McCarthy said the report was not true and the police investigation showed Allenby was never in the strip club.
Allenby made only six cuts on the PGA Tour the rest of the year.
He told reporters in Australia last month during his charity work for children’s cancer that he has sought psychological help.
“It’s been traumatic and it’s been very tough, but no one ever really actually came out with the truth. That’s been tough to take as well,” Allenby said. “I’m very cautious, there’s no question about it. Most important thing is you never leave a glass of wine or any drink unattached anywhere. And that’s probably the best advice I could give anyone in the world because it’s not a pleasant experience. Especially the outcome of what could happen.”
9 responses to “Allenby to return to Sony Open”
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Well he has more name recognition now than his initial visit before all that negative happenings!
Lol…good one,Wizard.
Is there anything more boring and useless than the Sony Open?
you are clueless with your ‘useless’ comment. the Sony open in hawaii that is run by the friends of hawaii charities has raised many millions for hawaii charities over its history. you insult the recipients of these charities as well as the thousands of volunteers that donate their time to give back to our community.
No hon. I am speaking about the Sony Open as a sporting event. Your points are irrelevant to that event
Allie, Sha…. up! The Waialae Open is older then you. You have no athletic ability accept shooting insult arrows. (And not hit your mark)
Yes, look in the mirror for the answer.
He can hire me to be his bodyguard. I’ll keep him safe.
Well If I was him he better keep a low profile. As it is he will be ragged on the course. He better get used to that. Stay in your hotel and play golf. When tournament pau go straight home.