Allenby to defend PGA Championship
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Robert Allenby and the Kirkwood Cup
Australia’s highest ranked golfer Robert Allenby is heading back to the venue where he claimed one of the most emotional victories of his career, confirming today he will defend his Australian PGA Championship title at Coolum in December.
Allenby, the defending champion and world number 17, will be competing in the 2010 Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola hoping to claim his fifth Joe Kirkwood Cup.
“I really enjoy getting back to the Hyatt Regency Coolum and this year has the added bonus of defending my Australian PGA title,” said Allenby.
“Despite my current injury, my form so far this year has been really good and I hope that I can have a good run of events leading into this year’s PGA. I can always find room at home for my fifth Joe Kirkwood Cup!”
Coming off a win in South Africa the week before and securing entry into the 2009 Championship at the 11th hour with a sponsors invite from Coca-Cola, Allenby blitzed last year’s star studded field playing flawless golf to post a bogey-free five-under 66 on the Sunday and win Australia’s oldest professional championship by four shots.
Having won the event three times previously in his career, the attainment of his fourth Australian PGA Championship title was an emotional win for Allenby as he played the final day in a symbolic pink shirt, dedicating the win to his late mother Sylvia who lost her battle with cancer earlier in the year.
“Obviously last year’s win was an emotional one for me and one that will hold significance for a long time to come,” he said.
Prior to last year’s win Allenby had won the Australian PGA Championship in 2000 and 2001 at Royal Queensland Golf Club, and in 2005 at the Hyatt Regency Coolum.
With four Australian PGA Championship titles under his belt Allenby has the second highest Championship wins; he is in good company to with Norman Von Nida also having won four.
Allenby is now just chasing down Kel Nagle who won the Australian PGA Championships six times, could 2010 see Allenby take out number five and be one step closer to Nagle?
The 2010 Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola will be played at the Hyatt Regency Coolum on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast from December 9-12, 2010.