Golfer Robert Allenby says he hasn't lied about abduction, robbery
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Still with cuts on his nose and above his left eye, Australian golfer Robert Allenby said his story of being abducted and robbed in Honolulu remains unchanged despite admitting he lost complete memory for more than two hours that night.
His media session on Tuesday, in preparation to the Waste Management Phoenix Open, was the first formal opportunity for Allenby to recount his bizarre tale from Jan. 16.
"There's definitely been a lot of confusion, but I think the No. 1 thing you should all remember is my story stays the exact same as the way I know it," Allenby said. "I never lied to anyone."
Allenby also made a point to show his displeasure at the media reports that have questioned his account.
"... obviously the media has decided they are the most amazing experts at investigations," he said. "I was a victim and all of a sudden you're putting all of the blame on me."
Reports soon after the incident, which left Allenby's face cut and bruised, indicated the golfer had been thrown in a trunk of a car, beat up, robbed and left on the side of a road six miles away from a wine bar he had frequented. But recent evidence, as reported by the Golf Channel, indicates he passed out closer to the wine bar and made an appearance at a strip club with three unknown men.
Allenby said he doesn't recollect being at the strip club. He has put together his story with the help of surveillance footage, friends and what he was told by a homeless woman, who has since disputed his statements.
There is evidence to show Allenby's credit cards were used by others, but police are only investigating credit card fraud and robbery, according to reports.
Allenby, who went out on Jan. 16 after failing to qualify for the Sony Open, said he lost consciousness at 11:06 p.m., the time he was said to leave the wine bar. He told his friend he was heading to the restroom but never returned. Thereafter, he lost his memory and didn't regain it until 1:27 a.m.
He said what he drank that night couldn't have led to losing his memory.
"I probably shouldn't answer that question but I will: There's no way in the world of what I drank could do what was done to me. Not a chance in the world," he said.
Allenby, who said he couldn't remember his own cell phone number in his lost state, said a Facebook photo taken of his injury on his private account that night was meant to be sent to his son as a way to get ahold of him. He doesn't know how the photo was obtained by the Golf Channel.
Allenby added that he's undergone testing to determine if he was under the influence of anything other than alcohol.
Getting back on the golf course in Arizona after sitting out the Humana Challenge last week will allow Allenby a chance to get back to some normalcy.
"I'm hitting the ball well," Allenby said, adding that he only got over the headaches from a concussion a few days ago. "Mentally, I'm preparing myself for one of the toughest weeks of my life. It hasn't been an easy week last week, and it wasn't an easy decision to come to this tournament. But I felt like I need to get my life back on track."
Allenby said he will take responsibility for his misdeeds, if any are uncovered. He praised the Honolulu investigators and expects them to uncover the truth in the near future.
"I realize I don't have any friends in the media," he said. "Maybe one. That's it."
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