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Robert Allenby
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Robert Allenby (born 12 July 1971) is an Australian professional golfer.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Allenby was born in Melbourne on 12 July 1971. He is of English descent, with his father being a native of Leeds.

Professional career

[edit]

He turned professional in 1992 and was successful almost immediately, topping the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit in his first season and again in 1994. He continues to play some events on his home tour and has won 13 times in Australasia, including the Victorian Open as an amateur. He also began to play on the European Tour and it was his principal tour until 1998. He won four tournaments on it, including three in 1996, when he finished third on the Order of Merit. He has featured in the top 20 of the Official World Golf Rankings.[2]

Allenby now plays primarily in the U.S. on the PGA Tour. He earned exempt status for 1999 by finishing 17th at the 1998 Qualifying School. He had a disappointing first season in America, coming 126th on the money list, but came good in 2000 when he won the Shell Houston Open and the Advil Western Open. He claimed another pair of wins the following season. In both of those years he came 16th on the money list. He has not won since but finished in the top 50 each year from 2002 to 2004. His performances in the major championships have been somewhat disappointing; his highest placing in a major is tied seventh at the 2004 U.S. Open. In 2005 he became the first golfer to win the "triple crown" of the Australian Masters, Australian PGA and Australian Open in the same year.

Allenby played for the International Team in the Presidents Cup in 1994, 1996, 2000, 2003 and 2009. After posting a 2–2–1 record in the 2009 Presidents Cup, Allenby accused Anthony Kim of being ill-prepared for his Sunday singles match, in which Allenby lost 5 and 3. In December 2009 Allenby became the first Australian to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa, defeating Henrik Stenson in a playoff. It was his first professional win in four years, but he did not have to wait long for the next as he returned home to claim his fourth Australian PGA Championship title the following week.[3]

Allenby missed the cut in the 2011 Masters Tournament by one stroke after bogeying the 18th hole of the second round. In February 2012, Allenby missed an opportunity to end an eleven-year drought on the PGA Tour, when he took a two stroke advantage to the 72nd hole of the Mayakoba Golf Classic. He hit his tee shot into the trees on the right and proceeded to make double bogey to fall into a playoff with rookie John Huh. He lost out at the eighth extra hole when he could only bogey the par three 10th, leaving Huh with a tap in par for the tournament. Both players had made par on all seven previous holes throughout the playoff until this point.[4]

Controversies

[edit]

Allenby fractured his sternum and suffered facial injuries when he was involved in a car accident when the vehicle he was driving struck an obstacle on a roundabout in Puerto Banús in September 1996. The incident occurred after he was forced to withdraw from the 1996 European Open tournament after suffering a foot injury during the Loch Lomond World Invitational the previous weekend.[5]

Statements made by Allenby at the 2009 and 2011 Presidents Cups generated controversy. In 2009, following a loss to American Anthony Kim in the Sunday singles, Allenby accused Kim of partying all night on the eve of the Singles matches. That statement was vehemently denied by Kim and the members of the American team.[6] In 2011, following a 0–4–0 record at the Presidents Cup where he failed to gain any points for the International team, he asserted that his record wasn't completely his fault and cited his partners' poor play as a reason. His partners, including Geoff Ogilvy, were displeased with Allenby's comments. The following week, at the Australian PGA Championship, Allenby got into contention which resulted in Ogilvy making a tweet that Allenby perceived as being sarcastic. After the tournament ended, Allenby exchanged heated words with Ogilvy and came close to having a physical altercation with Ogilvy.[7]

In July 2015 at the RBC Canadian Open, Allenby had a verbal altercation with his caddie, Mick Middlemo, after playing four holes.[8] While Allenby says that he was verbally abused and threatened by Middlemo, Middlemo says Allenby was verbally abusive.[9] Middlemo walked off the course and Allenby selected a school principal from the gallery to carry his clubs the rest of the round.[10] Later reports from another caddy in the group, Simon Clarke, seemed to indicate the problem was with Allenby. Clarke said, "I've known Rob for a long time and I've known Mick for a long time. It's disappointing that at age 42, or however old he [Allenby] is, he's still treating people that way and how many good caddies he's gone through."[11]

Personal life

[edit]

Allenby resides in Jupiter, Florida.[12]

Allenby is a patron of the Challenge Cancer Support Network, which has raised more than AU$9 million since 1993 for children with cancer and blood disorders.[13] On 22 June 2000, he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal.[14]

Allenby said he was kidnapped while drinking at a bar in Honolulu on 17 January 2015, with his kidnappers robbing and beating him before leaving him in a park several miles away.[15] An arrest was made concerning the false use of his credit card when it was used to spend US$32,000 at a strip club, which was filed as a case of mistaken identity.[16]

Amateur wins

[edit]

Professional wins (22)

[edit]

PGA Tour wins (4)

[edit]
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory		 Runner(s)-up
1 30 Apr 2000 Shell Houston Open −13 (68-67-68-72=275) Playoff United States Craig Stadler
2 9 Jul 2000 Advil Western Open −14 (69-69-68-68=274) Playoff Zimbabwe Nick Price
3 25 Feb 2001 Nissan Open −8 (73-64-69-70=276) Playoff United States Brandel Chamblee, Japan Toshimitsu Izawa,
United States Dennis Paulson, United States Jeff Sluman,
United States Bob Tway
4 23 Sep 2001 Marconi Pennsylvania Classic −19 (70-65-66-68=269) 3 strokes United States Larry Mize, United States Rocco Mediate

PGA Tour playoff record (3–2)

No. Year Tournament Opponent(s) Result
1 2000 Shell Houston Open United States Craig Stadler Won with par on fourth extra hole
2 2000 Advil Western Open Zimbabwe Nick Price Won with par on first extra hole
3 2001 Nissan Open United States Brandel Chamblee, Japan Toshimitsu Izawa,
United States Dennis Paulson, United States Jeff Sluman,
United States Bob Tway 		Won with birdie on first extra hole
4 2008 Stanford St. Jude Championship South Africa Trevor Immelman, United States Justin Leonard Leonard won with birdie on second extra hole
5 2012 Mayakoba Golf Classic United States John Huh Lost to par on eighth extra hole

European Tour wins (4)

[edit]
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runner(s)-up
1 12 Jun 1994 Honda Open −12 (72-67-68-69=276) Playoff Spain Miguel Ángel Jiménez
2 9 Jun 1996 Alamo English Open −10 (69-71-69-69=278) 1 stroke England Ross McFarlane, Scotland Colin Montgomerie
3 30 Jun 1996 Peugeot Open de France −16 (70-65-68-69=272) Playoff Germany Bernhard Langer
4 31 Aug 1996 One 2 One British Masters −4 (69-71-71-73=284) Playoff Spain Miguel Ángel Martín

European Tour playoff record (3–0)

No. Year Tournament Opponent Result
1 1994 Honda Open Spain Miguel Ángel Jiménez Won with par on third extra hole
2 1996 Peugeot Open de France Germany Bernhard Langer Won with birdie on first extra hole
3 1996 One 2 One British Masters Spain Miguel Ángel Martín Won after concession on first extra hole

Sunshine Tour wins (1)

[edit]
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runner-up
1 6 Dec 2009 Nedbank Golf Challenge −11 (68-70-68-71=277) Playoff Sweden Henrik Stenson

Sunshine Tour playoff record (1–0)

No. Year Tournament Opponent Result
1 2009 Nedbank Golf Challenge Sweden Henrik Stenson Won with par on third extra hole

PGA Tour of Australasia wins (12)

[edit]
Legend
Flagship events (2)
Other PGA Tour of Australasia (10)
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runner(s)-up
1 18 Oct 1992 Perak Masters −13 (66-70-68-71=275) 2 strokes Australia Stuart Bouvier, Malaysia Marimuthu Ramayah
2 6 Dec 1992 Johnnie Walker Australian Classic −13 (66-68-69-72=275) 5 strokes Australia Peter Senior
3 24 Jan 1993 Optus Players Championship −14 (71-66-69-68=274) Playoff Australia Wayne Grady
4 27 Nov 1994 Heineken Australian Open −8 (70-70-70-70=280) 1 stroke Australia Brett Ogle
5 5 Feb 1995 Heineken Classic −10 (73-66-67-72=278) 1 stroke Australia Wayne Smith
6 3 Dec 2000 Australian PGA Championship −13 (69-64-72-70=275) 1 stroke Australia Steven Conran
7 18 Nov 2001
(2002 season) 		Australian PGA Championship (2) −15 (65-69-70-69=273) 1 stroke Australia Geoff Ogilvy
8 7 Dec 2003 MasterCard Masters −11 (67-67-72-71=277) Playoff Australia Jarrod Moseley, Australia Craig Parry,
Australia Adam Scott
9 27 Nov 2005 Australian Open (2) −4 (63-72-72-77=284) 1 stroke Australia Nick O'Hern, Australia John Senden,
Australia Paul Sheehan
10 4 Dec 2005 Cadbury Schweppes Centenary Australian PGA Championship (3) −18 (68-71-64-67=270) 1 stroke Australia Mathew Goggin
11 11 Dec 2005 MasterCard Masters (2) −17 (67-68-68-68=271) Playoff United States Bubba Watson
12 13 Dec 2009 Australian PGA Championship1 (4) −14 (70-68-66-66=270) 4 strokes Australia John Senden, Australia Scott Strange

1Co-sanctioned by the OneAsia Tour

PGA Tour of Australasia playoff record (3–1)

No. Year Tournament Opponent(s) Result
1 1993 Optus Players Championship Australia Wayne Grady Won with birdie on first extra hole
2 2003 MasterCard Masters Australia Jarrod Moseley, Australia Craig Parry,
Australia Adam Scott 		Won with birdie on second extra hole
Moseley and Parry eliminated by birdie on first hole
3 2005 MasterCard Masters United States Bubba Watson Won with par on first extra hole
4 2011 Australian PGA Championship Australia Greg Chalmers, Australia Marcus Fraser Chalmers won with par on first extra hole

Other wins (1)

[edit]
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runners-up
1 3 Nov 1991 Victorian Open
(as an amateur) 		−1 (76-70-66-75=287) 6 strokes Australia David Armstrong, Australia Paul Moloney

Results in major championships

[edit]
Tournament 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Masters Tournament CUT
U.S. Open T33 CUT T46
The Open Championship CUT CUT T60 T15 T56 T10 T19
PGA Championship CUT CUT CUT T49 T13 CUT
Tournament 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Masters Tournament 47 T29 T39 CUT CUT T22 CUT T42 T38
U.S. Open CUT T12 CUT T7 CUT T16 CUT T18 CUT
The Open Championship T36 T47 CUT T43 CUT T52 T16 CUT T7 T52
PGA Championship T19 T16 T10 T39 T9 CUT T20 CUT T31 T24
Tournament 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Masters Tournament T45 CUT
U.S. Open T29 CUT CUT
The Open Championship T27 T48 CUT
PGA Championship T26 CUT
  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" = tied

Summary

[edit]
Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts made
Masters Tournament 0 0 0 0 0 1 12 7
U.S. Open 0 0 0 0 1 4 15 7
The Open Championship 0 0 0 0 2 5 20 14
PGA Championship 0 0 0 0 2 7 18 11
Totals 0 0 0 0 5 17 65 39
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 7 (2000 Open Championship – 2002 U.S. Open)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (five times)

Results in The Players Championship

[edit]
Tournament 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
The Players Championship 73 CUT CUT
Tournament 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
The Players Championship T53 T21 T11 T4 T33 CUT T38 CUT T42 T14
Tournament 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
The Players Championship 2 T50 T61 CUT T56
  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the halfway cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Results in World Golf Championships

[edit]
Tournament 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Match Play R32 R64 R16 R32 QF R32 R64 R64 R64 R32 R64
Championship T25 NT1 T31 T21 T54 T26 T3 T20 T28 T11 T15
Invitational T12 T23 T2 T6 T9 T22 81 T20 T2 T48 69
Champions T23 T21 T56

1Cancelled due to 9/11

  Top 10
  Did not play

QF, R16, R32, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play
"T" = tied
NT = No Tournament
Note that the HSBC Champions did not become a WGC event until 2009.

Results in senior major championships

[edit]
Tournament 2021 2022
The Tradition – 62
Senior PGA Championship – CUT
U.S. Senior Open – CUT
Senior Players Championship – 76
The Senior Open Championship T64 CUT
  Did not play

CUT = missed the halfway cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Team appearances

[edit]

Amateur

Professional

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Robert Allenby

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Robert Allenby (born 12 July 1971) is an Australian renowned for his four victories on the and his historic achievement as the first player to claim the Triple Crown on the in 2005 by winning the , , and in consecutive weeks. Born in to British immigrant parents Don and Sylvia Allenby, he grew up in in Chadstone, Victoria, and began playing at age seven at East Malvern Golf Club, later receiving coaching from Steve Bann starting at age thirteen and training in a state-run youth program. As an amateur, Allenby demonstrated exceptional talent by winning the 1991 Victorian Open by seven shots, which propelled him to turn professional later that year. In his debut professional season of 1992, he secured two victories on the Australasian tour—the Perak Masters and Johnnie Walker Classic—earning him both Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors, along with topping the ; he repeated the win in 1994 after claiming the Australian Open. Over his career, Allenby amassed 22 professional wins, including four on the European Tour (Honda Open, Alamo English Open, Peugeot Open de France, and One 2 One ) and 13 on the Australasian circuit, with additional triumphs such as three Australian PGA Championships and two . Allenby's PGA Tour success peaked in the early 2000s, highlighted by back-to-back wins in 2000 at the Shell Houston Open and Advil , followed by the 2001 Nissan Open and the 2001 Marconi Pennsylvania Classic. He represented the International team in six Presidents Cup events (1994, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2009, 2011) and competed in the three times (1993, 1995, 2009), while posting strong major championship results, including seventh-place finishes at the 2004 U.S. Open and , ninth at the , and 22nd at the 2006 Masters. In 2015, Allenby endured a highly publicized and mysterious incident in , where he was found unconscious near a , initially claiming he had been kidnapped, robbed, and assaulted; the event, which remains unresolved, significantly impacted his and led to a period of personal struggle. Transitioning to the in later years, Allenby has continued competing, though without a win on that circuit as of 2025, while accumulating $90,984 in official earnings across 29 events. On 16 October 2025, he was inducted into the Victorian Golf Hall of Fame at the Victorian Golf Industry Awards, joining luminaries such as Peter Thomson and acknowledging his influence from mentor and his status as one of Australia's most accomplished ers with 12 global victories.

Early life and amateur career

Early life

Robert Allenby was born on July 12, 1971, in , Victoria, . He was the fourth child of British immigrants Don and Sylvia Allenby. His father, a former professional in , , emigrated to and played a key role in fostering Allenby's early interest in sports. Allenby spent his childhood in in the suburb of Chadstone, where he was introduced to at the age of seven at East Malvern Golf Club. By around age 13, he began receiving instruction from Steve Bann, a professional at 's Box Hill Golf Club, who would become his longtime coach and guide his foundational development in the sport. Allen's early experiences in junior were shaped by participation in Australian youth programs, building his skills in a supportive environment that emphasized involvement in the .

Amateur achievements

Robert Allenby established himself as a prominent figure in Australian during the late 1980s and early 1990s through a series of notable victories that highlighted his emerging talent. In 1989, he won the Australian Juniors Championship. In 1990, he captured the Victorian Championship, defeating a strong field of competitors and solidifying his reputation within domestic circles. That same year, Allenby also won the Riversdale Cup, an esteemed interstate competition, further demonstrating his consistency and skill against top regional players. Building on this momentum, Allenby achieved one of his most significant amateur triumphs in 1991 by winning the Victorian Open as an amateur, prevailing by a commanding seven-shot margin over the professional field at Woodlands Golf Club. This victory, which he later described as his finest achievement in golf, underscored his ability to compete at a high level against seasoned professionals and marked him as one of Australia's most promising young golfers. He repeated success at the Riversdale Cup in 1991, becoming one of only a select few to win the event in consecutive years. Additionally, Allenby represented Australia in the 1990 Eisenhower Trophy, the premier men's world amateur team championship held in Scotland, where he contributed to the national squad's competitive performance alongside teammates Chris Gray, Lester Peterson, and John Wade. These accomplishments, including a runner-up finish in the 1991 as an amateur, propelled Allenby to national prominence and paved the way for his transition to professional . Following this string of successes, he decided to turn professional in late 1991 at the age of 20, ending his amateur career on a high note.

Professional career

Turning professional

Allenby turned professional in late 1991 at the age of 20, shortly after finishing runner-up in the Australian Open as an amateur. His transition to the paid ranks began on regional circuits, where he initially relied on the and the to build competitive experience and secure consistent playing opportunities amid the challenges of establishing a professional schedule. His breakthrough came swiftly with his first professional victory at the 1992 Masters, a tournament co-sanctioned by the and the , where he finished two strokes ahead of the field with a total score of 13-under-par 275. Later that season, Allenby won the Johnnie Walker Classic and recorded multiple top-10 finishes across events, culminating in him topping the with earnings of A$308,528 and earning Rookie of the Year honors. Building on this momentum, Allenby continued to post strong results in 1993, including a win at the Optus Players Championship, which helped solidify his standing on the Australasian circuit. These performances paved the way for greater access to the European Tour starting in 1992, where he competed full-time through 1998 and earned his first victory in 1994 at the Honda Open, eventually qualifying for full membership by 1995.

Key victories and tour performances

Allenby turned professional in 1991 and joined the European Tour as his primary circuit, competing full-time there through 1998 and securing four victories during that period. In 1999, he earned his card by finishing 17th at the , marking his transition to the U.S.-based tour where he would establish his most prominent career phase. His early professional successes on the European and Australasian tours provided a solid foundation for this move, enabling him to adapt to the competitive demands of the . During the , Allenby achieved consistent high-level performance, reaching a career-high world ranking of No. 12 in May 2010 and maintaining a presence in the top 20 for much of the decade, including year-end finishes of No. 16 in 2003 and No. 35 in . His breakthrough came in the 2000-2001 seasons, where he recorded multiple victories and solidified his status as a top contender. A standout achievement occurred in , when he accomplished the "Australian Triple Crown" by winning the Australian , Australian Open, and Australian in consecutive weeks, becoming the first er to claim all three major Australasian titles in a single year. Allenby's career earnings on the exceeded $27 million, reflecting his longevity and success across 525 starts. Amid performance slumps in the late , he demonstrated adaptability by returning to full European Tour membership in 2009 and finishing 21st in the Race to Dubai, while securing two wins on other tours that year: the Australian and the , helping to revitalize his form before shifting focus to senior golf.

Senior career

Allenby became eligible for the upon turning 50 on July 12, 2021. He made his debut ten days later at the Senior Open Presented by , where he finished tied for 66th. His early appearances in 2021 and 2022 yielded mixed results, with consistent cuts made but no contention for top positions. Through the 2025 season, Allenby has competed in 29 events on the , making the cut in 26 of them, though he has yet to record a top-10 finish or a victory. His career earnings on the stand at $90,984, reflecting a selective schedule emphasizing enjoyment over aggressive contention. In a , Allenby expressed his intent to approach the senior without self-imposed pressure, focusing on the positive aspects of the game at this stage of his career. Notable performances include a tied for 37th finish at the 2023 Hoag Classic, where he posted a total score of 5-under par. Allenby continued his participation into the 2024 and 2025 seasons with a limited number of starts. In 2025, he finished at +4 in the Hoag Classic, maintaining his steady but non-contending presence on the tour.

Tournament wins

PGA Tour wins

Allenby recorded four PGA Tour victories between 2000 and 2001, establishing himself as a consistent performer on the U.S. circuit after earning full membership in 1999. His debut win occurred at the 2000 , held at the Tournament Course at The Woodlands, where he overcame a one-stroke deficit entering the final round and defeated on the fourth playoff hole after both finished at 13-under-par 275. This victory, his first on the , propelled Allenby to 40th on the money list that season and marked him as the first Australian winner of the event. Later that year, Allenby captured the 2000 Advil at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club, tying at 14-under-par 274 before winning with a par on the first sudden-death playoff hole. The triumph, worth $540,000, highlighted his playoff prowess (now 2-0 on the ) and boosted his world ranking into the top 50, solidifying his transition from European Tour success. In February 2001, Allenby etched his name in PGA Tour history by winning the Nissan Open (now Genesis Invitational) at in a record six-man playoff, defeating , Toshimitsu Izawa, Dennis Paulson, Jeff Sluman, and after all tied at 8-under-par 276. Despite heavy rain on the playoff hole, his 3-wood approach to 8 feet for birdie secured the $612,000 prize and elevated him to a career-high 14th in the world rankings, underscoring his mental resilience in high-pressure scenarios. Allenby's final PGA Tour title came at the 2001 Marconi Pennsylvania Classic at , the first Tour event following the , where he shot a final-round 68 to finish at 19-under-par 269, three strokes clear of and . The emotional win, amid a subdued atmosphere near the crash site of United Flight 93, earned him $594,000 and contributed to his strong 2001 season, finishing 21st on the money list with over $1.6 million in earnings.

European Tour and other international wins

Allenby's success on the European Tour came early in his professional career, where he secured four victories between 1994 and 1996, establishing himself as a rising talent in international golf. His first European Tour win was at the 1994 Honda Open in Germany, where he defeated Miguel Ángel Jiménez in a playoff after posting a total score of 12-under-par 276. In 1996, Allenby enjoyed a breakout year with three triumphs: the Peugeot Open de France (16-under 272), the Alamo English Open (10-under 278), and the One-2-One British Masters (4-under 284), finishing third on the Order of Merit that season. These wins highlighted his consistency and ability to perform under pressure on varied European courses, contributing to his reputation as a versatile player before shifting focus to the PGA Tour. On the Sunshine Tour, Allenby claimed one victory at the 2009 in , a prestigious limited-field event co-sanctioned with the European Tour. He overcame in a three-hole playoff after both finished at 11-under-par 277, marking his first win on the tour and demonstrating his enduring competitiveness into his late 30s. This success came shortly after his title earlier that year, underscoring a strong end to the 2009 season. Allenby amassed 13 wins on the , spanning from 1992 to 2009, with a particular dominance in major domestic events. His debut professional season in 1992 featured victories at the Perak Masters in and the Johnnie Walker Australian Classic. He followed with the 1993 Optus Players Championship and the 1994 (8-under 280). The 1995 Heineken Classic (10-under 278) and 1996 Holden International added to his tally, while 2000 brought the title. In 2001, he won the Australian PGA Championship, followed by the 2003 MasterCard (11-under 277 in a four-way playoff over , , and Jarrod Moseley). In a landmark 2005 season, Allenby achieved the unprecedented "triple crown" by winning the Australian PGA Championship (14-under 270 in 2005), MasterCard (17-under 271), and (4-under 284), the only player to sweep these three flagship events in one year. He repeated at the Australian PGA in 2001 and 2009, and the Australian Masters in 2005, solidifying his legacy in Australasian golf with multiple titles, including in 1992 and 1994. These non-PGA Tour successes, totaling 21 wins, reflected his global reach and adaptability across continents, particularly in his formative years and later career resurgence.
TourYearTournamentVenueWinning ScoreMargin
European1994Honda OpenGut Kaden, Germany276 (−12)Playoff
European1996Peugeot Open de France, France272 (−16)1 stroke
European1996Alamo English OpenForest of Arden, 278 (−10)1 stroke
European1996One-2-One Collingtree Park, 284 (−4)2 strokes
Sunshine2009 CC, 277 (−11)Playoff
1992Perak MastersN/AN/A
1992Johnnie Walker Australian ClassicN/AN/A
1993Optus Players ChampionshipN/AN/A
1994Heineken Australian OpenRoyal Sydney, 280 (−8)Playoff
1995Heineken ClassicThe Vines, 278 (−10)3 strokes
1996Greg Holden InternationalN/AN/A
2000N/AN/A
2001Coolum, N/AN/A
2003MasterCard Australian MastersHuntingdale, 277 (−11)Playoff
2005Coolum, 270 (−14)3 strokes
2005MasterCard Australian MastersHuntingdale, 271 (−17)Playoff
2005MFS Moonah Links, 284 (−4)1 stroke
2009Coolum, 270 (−14)1 stroke

Major and notable tournament results

Major championships

Robert Allenby competed in 50 major championships over the course of his professional career, spanning from 1995 to 2014. During the peak of his career in the , he made the cut in 10 majors, demonstrating solid but not championship-winning form with several top-20 finishes that highlighted his potential as a consistent performer on golf's biggest stages. As his career progressed into the , however, he missed the cut more frequently, reflecting a decline in competitive edge amid injuries and form struggles. A standout early moment came at the at Royal Troon, where Allenby finished tied for 10th, signaling his emergence as a promising international talent just two years after turning professional. In the early , he posted consistent top-20 results across the majors, including tied for 19th at the at and tied for 14th at the . Allenby's strongest major performances were ties for seventh at the 2004 U.S. Open at , where he carded rounds of 70-72-74-70 to finish at 2-over par, and at the at Royal Birkdale, ending at 4-over with scores of 69-73-76-74. He also achieved a tied for ninth at the 2004 at , shooting 71-70-72-70 for 5-under par. His best result at the Masters was a tied for 22nd in 2006 at Augusta National.
TournamentBest FinishYear(s) of Top Performances
Masters TournamentT222006
U.S. OpenT72004 (T7), 2002 (T12), 2006 (T16), 2008 (T18)
T72008 (T7), 1997 (T10), 2005 (T9)
T92004 (T9), 2002 (T10), 2000 (T19)

The Players Championship and World Golf Championships

Allenby competed in , often regarded as the "fifth major" due to its elite field and $25 million purse in recent years, on 15 occasions between 1995 and 2015. His standout performance came in 2010 at , where he co-led after the opening round with a 6-under 66 and finished solo second at 15-under 273, one stroke behind winner Tim Clark after a final-round 70 that included birdies on holes 4 and 12 but pars on the closing stretch. This near-miss highlighted his precision on the demanding Stadium Course, where he ranked among the leaders in strokes gained off-the-tee during the event. Earlier in the decade, Allenby posted multiple top-25 finishes during his peak form from 2000 to , including a T14 in 2009 at 3-under 285, bolstered by a second-round 66 that vaulted him up the leaderboard. He also achieved a T5 in , demonstrating consistency in contention amid the tournament's strong fields featuring top-ranked players like and . However, his results tapered post-2010, with finishes like T50 in 2011, T61 in 2012, and a missed cut in 2013, reflecting a shift toward fewer competitive starts as he approached his mid-40s. In the World Golf Championships (WGC) series, Allenby participated in more than 10 events across formats like the Bridgestone Invitational, Cadillac Championship, and Accenture Match Play from 2001 to 2012, often qualifying via his top-50 world ranking or prior-season performance. His strongest showings occurred during his 2000-2005 prime, including a T9 at the 2001 WGC-NEC Invitational after opening rounds of 68-67 to sit seventh midway through, underscoring his ability to compete against global elites on challenging layouts like . He also notched top-10s in match-play and stroke-play formats, such as reaching the round of 16 in select events. Notable highlights included runner-up finishes at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in both 2008 and 2009; in the latter, he carded a final-round 66 to tie at 8-under 272, four strokes behind , earning $665,000 and tying for second in a field headlined by the world's top 50 players. These performances exemplified his ball-striking prowess in high-stakes, no-cut events. Post-2010, appearances dwindled, with middling results like T48 in 2011 Bridgestone and T33 in 2011 , aligning with a career transition toward senior golf.
TournamentYearFinishScoreEarnings
The Players Championship20102nd273 (-15)$1,026,000
The Players Championship2009T14285 (-3)$147,250
WGC-Bridgestone Invitational2009T2272 (-8)$665,000
WGC-Bridgestone Invitational2008T2N/AN/A
WGC-NEC Invitational2001T9N/AN/A

Senior major championships

Allenby became eligible for senior majors upon turning 50 in July , but his participation has been limited, with no top-10 finishes recorded in these events to date. He made his senior major debut at The Senior Open presented by in at , finishing tied for 64th with a total score of +9. In , Allenby missed the cut at the Senior PGA Championship with rounds of 76 and 75 at Harbor Shores Golf Club. He also missed the cut in the U.S. Senior Open that year at Saucon Valley Country Club, shooting 75-75 for 8-over par. At The Senior Open in at Gleneagles (Kings Course), he missed the cut with scores of 76-76. Allenby did not compete in the 2023 U.S. Senior Open at SentryWorld. His involvement in senior majors remained selective in 2024 and 2025, prioritizing recovery and other events over full participation. In 2025, he missed the cut in the (+8) and The Senior Open (+12), while finishing 76th in the Senior Players Championship (+21).

Team appearances and international representation

Presidents Cup participations

Robert Allenby represented the International team in six editions of the , debuting in the inaugural 1994 event at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in , where the secured a 20½–11½ victory. He returned for the 1996 competition at in , which ended in an 18½–15½ loss for the Internationals, followed by appearances in 2000 at the same venue (a 21½–14½ defeat), 2003 at Fancourt in (a historic 17–17 tie), 2009 at Harding Park in (another 19½–14½ loss), and 2011 back at Royal Melbourne (a 19–15 defeat). Among his notable contributions, Allenby recorded a 1–3–0 mark in the 2000 event, highlighted by a 2-and-1 singles victory over in the opening match of the final day, providing an early boost for the Internationals despite the ultimate outcome. In the 2003 competition, which marked the first tie in history, he posted a 2–1–2 record, including a 3-and-1 foursomes win alongside against and , and a crucial half-point in singles against on the 18th hole that helped force the deadlock after Love's bogey from a poor chip. His overall career record across the six appearances stood at 8–17–3, with the 17 losses tying for the most in event history. Allenby's involvement was not without , particularly surrounding selections. Despite a solid 2007 season that included multiple top-10 finishes on the , he was overlooked for the International team by captain in favor of other players, sparking discussions among Australian circles about his exclusion given his prior experience and form. More prominently, his inclusion in the squad as one of captain Greg Norman's captain's picks drew widespread criticism due to his inconsistent recent results and world ranking outside the automatic qualifiers; he subsequently went 0–4–0, becoming the only player without a point, which fueled public disputes, including a heated post-event confrontation with teammate over perceived lack of team support and criticism of his performance.

Other team events

Allenby represented in the Alfred Dunhill Cup, a team match-play event featuring three-man teams from various nations, in 1994 and 1997. In 1994 at the , he teamed with and , helping finish fifth overall. In 1997, also at , he was selected alongside Stuart Appleby and for the Australian squad. The tournament format involved round-robin matches followed by stages, with Allenby contributing in individual matches, including a contest against Taiwan's Hsieh Yu-shu. advanced through the group stage but was eliminated in the quarterfinals by in 1994 and finished tied for ninth in 1997, as the event was ultimately won by . Allenby also competed for Australia in the World Cup of Golf, a stroke-play team event pairing two players per country, three times. In 1993, he partnered with Rodger Davis at Lake Nona Golf Club in Orlando, USA, where the Australian team placed fourth overall. In 1995, he partnered with Brett Ogle at the Mission Hills Golf Club in , , where the Australian team placed tied for ninth overall. The pair's performance contributed to the event's better-ball and aggregate formats, though the tournament was won by the . In 2009, he partnered with Stuart Appleby at the Mission Hills Golf Club in , , where Australia finished tied for 11th.

Controversies

Professional disputes

Throughout his career, Robert Allenby was involved in several professional disputes related to on-course behavior and team selections. In 2009, during the at Harding Park, Allenby lost a singles match to by 5 and 3 and subsequently criticized the American for allegedly partying the night before, comparing him to John Daly as the U.S. team's "loosest cannon." This led to a public backlash, prompting Allenby to issue an apology, which Kim accepted, allowing both players to move forward. The 2011 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club brought further tension when Allenby, selected as one of captain Greg Norman's picks despite a winless streak, went 0-4-0, failing to secure a single point in the International team's 19-15 loss to the . Post-event, Allenby publicly criticized several teammates for lacking commitment and not trying hard enough, stating he was "disappointed" in their effort, which sparked a heated with fellow Australian Geoff . Ogilvy called the comments "disappointing" and exchanged stern words with Allenby after the , highlighting internal team friction. Norman defended his selection of Allenby, emphasizing the player's credentials leading into the event. In 2015, Allenby experienced an on-course altercation with his longtime caddie Mick Middlemo during the first round of the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club. The dispute arose on the par-5 13th hole over club selection for a 150-yard approach shot, with Allenby preferring a 7-iron but following Middlemo's recommendation of an 8-iron, resulting in the shot falling short into a creek and a triple bogey. The argument escalated, leading Middlemo to drop the bag and walk off after nine holes; Allenby then enlisted a spectator, local school principal Tom Fraser, to carry his bag for the remainder of the round, which he completed at 9-over-par 81 before withdrawing from the tournament. Middlemo later described Allenby as a "bully" and disputed aspects of the incident, marking the latest in a series of caddie changes for the Australian, who had employed over 20 bag carriers in his career.

2015 Honolulu incident

On January 16, 2015, during the , Robert Allenby reported being abducted after leaving a wine bar in Waikiki, , where he had been drinking with his caddie Mick Middlemo and friend Anthony Puntoriero following a missed cut in the tournament. Allenby claimed his drink was spiked, leading to him being beaten, robbed of his wallet, phone, and credit cards, and dumped from a car trunk approximately six miles away near the golf course, where he awoke bloodied and injured in a park gutter. He was assisted by a homeless woman named Charade Keane, who found him disoriented and helped him contact authorities; Allenby later posted a showing facial cuts and bruising to support his account of the ordeal. The investigated the incident as a second-degree but found significant inconsistencies in Allenby's narrative, including no evidence of a , physical , or him being transported the claimed distance—witnesses placed him only a block from the bar, and there was no confirmation of a visit he mentioned. On February 13, 2015, authorities arrested 32-year-old Patrick Owen Harbison on three counts each of second-degree , theft in the second degree, and fraudulent use of a , after he made over $1,000 in unauthorized charges using Allenby's stolen cards at various locations; the case was referred to prosecutors, but no charges related to or were filed. Harbison pleaded guilty in June 2015 and was sentenced to five years in prison in August 2015. Allenby later acknowledged possible memory lapses due to alcohol consumption and a , though he maintained that an occurred, while his Middlemo publicly disputed the claim in July 2015, suggesting Allenby had simply fallen, hit his head, and lost his wallet, leading to Allenby firing Middlemo shortly thereafter. The incident prompted Allenby to withdraw from the ongoing Sony Open and the subsequent Humana Challenge on his doctor's advice to recover fully, marking a brief career hiatus amid intense media scrutiny and skepticism. Police detective John McCarthy noted in later reviews that while was confirmed, any remained unprovable with over a 50% likelihood but no definitive evidence, leaving unresolved elements as of 2022 reports.

Personal life and honors

Family and philanthropy

Allenby was first married to Sandy McTiernan in 1999, with whom he had two children: son Harry Jack, born in 1999, and daughter Lily Bela, born in 2002. The couple divorced in 2012 after 13 years together. In 2015, he married Kym Allenby, who has been a key source of support during personal challenges, including the emotional strain from the 2015 incident on his . Early in his career, Allenby resided in Melbourne, Australia, where he grew up and turned professional. In the early 2000s, he relocated to Jupiter, Florida, in the United States to better compete on the PGA Tour, settling in the exclusive Admirals Cove community. Following the peak of his competitive years, Allenby has adopted a lower public profile, prioritizing time with his family and occasionally providing coaching guidance to younger golfers. Allenby has been a dedicated patron of the Challenge Cancer Support Network, an Australian not-for-profit organization aiding children and families affected by cancer, since shortly after turning professional in 1991. Through his involvement, including hosting the annual Robert Allenby Golf Day and Gala Dinner, the initiative has raised over AU$20 million since 1993 (as of 2022) to provide free, year-round support services such as emotional care and recreational programs. His commitment deepened through personal connections, notably his long-standing friendship with fellow Australian golfer Jarrod , who battled from 1997 until his death in 2018; Allenby penned a heartfelt tribute to Lyle in 2018 and has continued supporting cancer-related causes in his memory, including efforts to sustain Lyle's family legacy with Challenge.

Awards and recognitions

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to , Robert Allenby was awarded the Australian Sports Medal on 22 June 2000 for his achievements in the sport. Allenby achieved a historic milestone in 2005 by becoming the first golfer to claim the Australasian PGA Tour's "Triple Crown," winning the , , and in consecutive weeks, a feat that solidified his legacy in Australian . On 16 October 2025, Allenby was inducted into the Victorian Golf Hall of Fame at the Victorian Golf Industry Awards, honoring his lifetime achievements, including multiple professional victories and his role in elevating the profile of Australian golf. Throughout the and early , Allenby earned multiple accolades on the , including Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors in 1992, as well as topping the in 1992 and 1994 for leading earnings on the tour.

References

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