Date: January 18, 2015
Author: Mark Hayes

Allenby ‘lucky to survive’ bashing

Australian golfer Robert Allenby is recovering in Hawaii after allegedly being kidnapped, bashed and dumped by a road.

Allenby, who missed the cut in the Sony Open in Hawaii on Friday (American time), was reported by NBC commentators during the third round to have been thrust into a car outside a bar in Honolulu later that night.

He is  helping police with their investigations, watching surveillance video from around the area where the incident is alleged to have begun.

"I didn't think I was going to survive this one," Allenby told Australian Associated Press. "I was separated from my friend in the bar after we had paid the tab at 10:48pm and he went to the bathroom and next thing you know I'm being dumped in a park miles away.

"I only know this part because a homeless woman found me and told me she saw a few guys pull up and throw me out of the car. That is where I got the scrapes above my eye from the sidewalk."

Allenby said a retired military serviceman helped him after he was harassed by homeless people in the park.

"He got me into a taxi and paid for me to get to my hotel and I called police from there. I have his details and will be getting back in touch with him for sure."

The four-time PGA Tour winner has been assisting police and PGA Tour FBI officials with inquiries. "We have some names and numbers and they have some leads to follow up, so I am confident they will get the guys," Allenby said.

"With the FBI guys involved, they're the best, the guys on the tour are awesome, and they'll get to the bottom of it."

Images posted on Twitter show Allenby, 43, bruised and with contusions to his face after the ordeal.

Allenby, who missed the cut in this week's tour event, is one of Australia’s most decorated golfers with 22 professional wins worldwide, including four on the US PGA Tour.