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The Australian Open’s controversial party hole may have claimed a high-profile victim if Robert Allenby holds to his repeated threat to quit playing in his home country.
But it seems unlikely other prominent Australian golfers will follow his lead and Mat Goggin is one who believes Allenby may change his mind.
Allenby has maintained his rage over the cruel sledging he received at the Australian Open in December, declaring: “I’ll definitely go back to Australia but only to see my family.”
“I don’t need to play (in Australia). What do I need to play in Australia for? Enough is enough,” Allenby told The Australian on Monday.
The Victorian said the last straw for him was having drinkers at the Open’s party hole at Royal Sydney yelling: “That’s all right mate. Your mummy’s not here now. You don’t have to cry.”
That came after he broke down in tears when his terminally ill mother came out on the course to watch while he was playing the Australian Masters in Melbourne.
Allenby, who has played 20 straight Australian Opens, claimed a number of Australian players were losing interest in playing at home, feeling under-appreciated.
Allenby’s words will again raise questions about the wisdom of having a “party hole” at the Open, mimicking a concept from the US tour’s Phoenix tournament where alcohol flows freely among rowdy fans packed around a par 3 hole.
While Allenby’s anger has lingered for several months, Goggin was hopeful his long-standing loyalty to home tournaments would continue.
“I would be surprised if Rob didn’t play in Australia,” said Goggin after finishing fourth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday.
“He’s played so well down there and had some great tournament wins and obviously the Australian Open is pretty special to everyone.
“Whatever is getting under his skin or upsetting him at the moment, I’m sure it will pass and he’ll be down there playing.”
Goggin, who lost a play-off to South African Tim Clark at the Australian Open in December, vowed to continue supporting Australian golf and he thinks other prominent players will too.
Goggin said that it wasn’t the first time Allenby had sounded off, recalling that he made similar comments in a television interview after the Australian Open.