Tour News

Robert Allenby abduction: New details, more confusion

Published

11 years ago

Jan 19, 2015

We have a few updates in the bizarre story of Robert Allenby’s abduction, robbery, and beating Friday evening. Unfortunately, they don’t add much clarity to the situation.

The more cynical among us have begun to feel the first stirrings of incredulity. The more even-minded likely feel that Allenby deserves the benefit of the doubt, as having just been through a traumatic situation and potentially drugged, he easily could have been mixed up with respect to where he was.

Australia’s Nine News reported today that they have spoken with the “homeless woman” Allenby identified as having shepherded him away from danger after he came to:

A homeless woman told Nine News that she found Allenby, 43, “bloodied and confused” and arguing with two men about a block away from the bar where he had been out last Friday night.

She alleged Allenby asked her to use his credit card to withdraw $500 cash to pay his attackers so he could get his wallet back.

This conflicts with two details Allenby relayed to multiple media outlets: he was without his wallet or any of its contents and he was dumped by his attackers six or so miles from the where he was abducted.

The outlet also reported that:

The witness, who has spoken to police, told Nine News the men were “quite aggressive” before a man, described as a former soldier, intervened and helped Allenby into a cab back to his hotel.

This doesn’t really line up with Allenby’s report that “two homeless men started kicking him to see if he was alive and steal whatever he had left.”

See the full Nine News story and interview below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8phbU9NX_c

Additionally, skeptics have wondered aloud why Allenby didn’t immediately call the police. He addressed this to ABC News: “You know what, these people that were chasing me were only 100 yards away. I’ve just gone through an absolute traumatic ordeal and all I could think of was just getting to safety.”

It is likely unfair to say that any of the above casts doubt on Mr. Allenby’s account of things. The revelations (assuming the “homeless woman’s” account is genuine) add to the confusion of an already confusing and strange situation.

Other new developments: A suspect (presumably one of several attackers) was identified on surveillance video buying alcohol after the attack. Police are reportedly treating the incident as a second-degree robbery and a reticent to discuss any details.

We’ll keep you updated as details continue to emerge as it’s too early to make any firm judgments or piece things together coherently.

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Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

25 Comments

Jeff

Jan 26, 2015 at 8:09 pm

Dancers aren’t hookers Rob. Even if you pay double, all you will get is relieved of your money.

Reply Report comment
Ty Webb

Jan 21, 2015 at 2:40 pm

He obviously was probably wasted. When i worked on tour he was known as a first class arrogant a-hole so not surprising he got roughed up most likely after running his mouth.

Reply Report comment
Ballstrikaaa

Jan 21, 2015 at 4:59 am

And he was kidnapped to where, 1/2 a meter from the establishment? Kidnapped?! That’s classic.
Thank goodness he wasn’t in Compton, Ca., or Boyle Heights. Surely he would have clearly
identified a man of color responsible for his raspberries. Don’t go all Boston’s finest citizen “Charles Stuart” on me. Google that genius’ name and read about his fantastic story of allegedly being
carjacked by the locals. Love the imagination of these clowns.

Reply Report comment
Ballstrikaaa

Jan 21, 2015 at 4:27 am

@ genius Scott. “Come forward in the first place?” Whaaat?! Oh right, yeah, like he’s gonna step to the next tourney and roll to the first tee on Thursday with his face bashed in, and be like, what? It’s nothin’ guys, just a little trip and fall, I’m good.” Scott, really? Like someone said earlier, dude makes the cut, none of this happens, end of story. See ya at da Mahztaz Alley. Bring some concealer in case you still have some bruising you don’t want us viewers to see.

Reply Report comment
josedreamer

Jan 20, 2015 at 1:38 pm

Allenby was able to experience “social justice” by some obvious Obama voters……..

Reply Report comment
td

Jan 20, 2015 at 7:34 am

No ice in paradise!

Reply Report comment
- SS
  
  Jan 20, 2015 at 7:58 pm
  
  Yeah there is, the Meth kind! That’s what call Meth in Hawaii – ICE
  
  Reply Report comment
Joe Golfer

Jan 20, 2015 at 1:02 am

According to reports, Allenby requested a blood test while at the hospital to determine if he had been drugged, but he was told that any drug of that type would have already passed through his system and would not show up.
I’m no expert on drugs, but it seems like if he were a person who uses drugs (as some have suggested here that this was a drug buy gone wrong), then he wouldn’t be asking for a drug test of any kind.

Reply Report comment
scott

Jan 19, 2015 at 11:44 pm

Just curious, why would a guy who was up to unsavory stuff bring attention to his ordeal? Can those posting this was a drug deal gone bad add some quality psychological theory on why it would benefit him to come forward in the first place? Most true stories have unique circumstances, it’s why there are quite a few innocent residents in jails near you. Stop passing judgment and wait for the facts Nancy Grace.

Reply Report comment
Bert

Jan 19, 2015 at 7:21 pm

When will the PGA cover-up start?

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Steve

Jan 19, 2015 at 5:31 pm

He should’ve made the cut none of this would’ve happened.

Reply Report comment
Insider

Jan 19, 2015 at 4:53 pm

The story may be like this: he needed something to feel “high”, say, some drugs. He then met some people inside the bar and then went out to the street to finish the deal. The deal broke due to unknown reasons. He got beaten, robbed and thought : “man, I should give the bartender a few more bucks to get a trusty drug dealer with a good reputation…”

Reply Report comment
- CR
  
  Jan 19, 2015 at 10:08 pm
  
  You would know, wouldn’t you, you do that all the time
  
  Reply Report comment
Ballstrikaaa

Jan 19, 2015 at 4:49 pm

Professional white men in trouble?!! I mean……what, these stories come around once every two years, right? Bring it on, this is great stuff!!

Reply Report comment
Ballstrikaaa

Jan 19, 2015 at 4:47 pm

As Richard Pryor would say, “I wasn’t really runnin’, I was just kind’a runnin’…….and then it fell!”

Yeah, ok Alley, you got accosted in an alley, eh? Was that before or after the “ice” purchase? Love

me some PGA’ers gettin’ into some serious “everyman” trouble! This story is just great fun.

Reply Report comment
KK

Jan 19, 2015 at 4:29 pm

Ummm, ummm… What had happened was…

Reply Report comment
Rich

Jan 19, 2015 at 4:02 pm

This is such a bizarre story. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt but he made some strange comments during his interview about taken movies and people being jealous. The only question I’ve had all along was why would anyone want to kidnap him? Very strange story.

Reply Report comment
Doubleace

Jan 19, 2015 at 3:39 pm

It could be his story is true, or not? Why do people always want to assume the worse? I live in Hawaii, and I have to say, I wouldn’t put too much stock in what these homeless people have to say.

Reply Report comment
c masty

Jan 19, 2015 at 3:19 pm

The whole scenario screams of a textbook substance abuse problem. Hopefully I’m wrong.

Reply Report comment
Gloover

Jan 19, 2015 at 2:00 pm

Can’t trust them “homeless people”, huh, Ben?

Reply Report comment
RG

Jan 19, 2015 at 1:32 pm

He got a few in him, wanted some booger sugar, thought the dudes he left with were gonna hook him up. They probably told him,”Yeah it’s right down the street.” They got him down the street and rolled him. When they told him to give it up he probably said no and that’s why he got the beat down. Definitely not pleasant but that’s why his story sounds so skeechy cause he doesn’t want to have to explain what he was doing in the first place and that’s why he doesn’t want a drug test.

Reply Report comment
- bradford
  
  Jan 19, 2015 at 2:31 pm
  
  Yep, this.
  
  Reply Report comment
Timbleking

Jan 19, 2015 at 1:30 pm

I don’t understand anything to this story, and quite worst regarding the real purpose of this article.

Reply Report comment
Steve

Jan 19, 2015 at 12:47 pm

Ben how about a new pic of yourself.

Reply Report comment
Jack

Jan 19, 2015 at 12:21 pm

Ok…

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