- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
In 2005, when Robert Allenby won Australia’s golfing grand slam, you sensed he was ready to take on America once again. In that magical summer, the putts dropped on command and his steely eyes shone through those trademark transparent sunglasses.
Allenby has one of the most consistent records on the PGA Tour: 308 events played, 230 cuts made, 124 top-25 finishes, 55 top 10-finishes and four victories.
That’s a lot of money.
But the promise of winning consistently on the PGA Tour just hasn’t happened for the Victorian. He’s developed a nasty habit of choking on the final day in American tournaments.
Recently in the Gin sur Mer classic, he stood on the par 5-18th less than 100-metres from the pin after a sensible lay-up. Yet, he somehow managed to drill a pitching wedge well beyond the pin into a buried lie in the bunker.
With that shot, his chances of a win were dashed. He went from a share of the lead to 7th position.
Allenby is second in the PGA Tour for greens in regulation and eighth in scoring average, yet he hasn’t won in America for seven years.
It’s a frustrating drought for such a fine player.
Every week on the PGA golf show Brett Ogle inevitably backs Robert Allenby as his tip to win whatever tournament is currently being played.
The problem for Allenby, like most golfers who have a choking habit, is his putting.
He is ranked 182nd for putts-per-round averaging 30 (1.79 per hole). Consequently, when the putts don’t drop, especially in the final round, it has a dramatic affect on the rest of his game.
Instead of playing consistent irons to the heart of the green, he goes for the risky shots to get closer to the pin, because he knows he might three putt.
With such bad putting stats, it’s no surprise that he’s struggled in the majors.
In 48 majors his best finish is seventh (2008 British Open & 2004 U.S. Open), and he’s never cracked the top-20 at the Masters.
So what does he do?
He’s tried a psychologist; he’s tried a British lifestyle coach, who tried to take him to a ‘happy place’ like Happy Gilmoure.
He’s tried different putters and snapped a few along the way.
Maybe he just needs to trick his mind into thinking he’s playing in Australia. He seems to be able to putt alright Down Under.
I think he should give the American galleries Australian flags, eat Vegemite, and put an iPod on with Midnight Oil songs repeated.
Anything to make him feel like he’s at home, to make him win again, and show the world his full potential.