A storm in a beer cup (part 2) and Australian Open Day 2 Wrap

If you are a regular reader you might remember a couple of days ago I talked about how Robert Allenby wasn't too happy about the bar on the 11th hole of the Australian open. This was his response:

Robert Allenby produced some rare theatrics at the $1.75 million Australian Open, donning bright red earmuffs and pumping up the crowd before putting himself in contention for another Stonehaven Cup.

Allenby fired a two-under par 70 at The Australian course to move to seven under overall, one shot behind West Australians Nick O'Hern (66) and Kim Felton (69).

Defending champion John Senden missed the cut, joining Mark Hensby, Brett Rumford and struggling former US Open champion Michael Campbell on the sidelines this weekend.

But all the talk was about Allenby's colourful display, the likes of which is rarely witnessed on professional golf's pristine fairways.

Speculation was rife all week that Allenby, who is chasing a third Open to add to his 1994 and 2005 victories, would cop an earful from the crowd after he criticised tournament organisers for putting a bar and music at the par three 11th hole.

But he came prepared with the perfect response, pulling the earmuffs from his golf bag as he approached the 11th green and encouraging the crowd to find its voice.

Allenby admitted the whole episode gave him such an adrenaline rush he had no chance of making his birdie putt, but he had no regrets after getting a friend to track down the earmuffs.

"I knew it would set (the crowd) off. My intentions were to make them as loud as possible," he said.

"It was deafening. It was great. Everyone was happy and having a good time.

"Even (playing partners) Geoff (Ogilvy) and Brandt (Snedeker) were laughing."

Allenby's display overshadowed a second round when O'Hern put himself in contention for a first Open title and Craig Parry equalled the course record of 64 held by former major winners Greg Norman and Steve Elkington.

O'Hern has regularly been in contention at his national championship and was in the identical position he finds himself in now back in 1997, leading after the second round.

He faded to fifth that year, but feels he now has the experience to win an Australian Open...

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Golf News: Australian Open Day 1 Wrap

America's Lee Williamson held a two-shot lead following the opening round of the Australian Open at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney on Thursday.

Williamson shot an astounding 7-under-par 65 to overtake early leader Robert Allenby.

Willamson started on fire collecting birdies from six of his opening eight holes, before a disastrous ninth-hole triple bogey restricted his score to just 3-under at the turn.

But the American came home strongly with four birdies on the back nine to finish the round two shots clear.

Allenby, a two-time champion of the event, shot a 5-under 67 to grab a three-way share of second place alongside fellow Australians Andrew Bonhomme and Kim Felton...

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Golf News: On course bars and the storm in a beer cup

Two weeks ago Robert Allenby threatened not to play in his native country again after being heckled by three drunken fans during the Australian Masters.

His comments since would hardly have helped matters.

Stuart Appleby reckons his Victorian counterpart Robert Allenby would have been better off keeping his mouth shut about the galleries at this week's $1.75 million Australian Open.

Allenby all-but guaranteed he would be heckled at The Australian course in Sydney, saying he has his earplugs ready for the 11th hole, which will come complete with its own bar.

Not all players would have made a similar stance. Appleby, for one, would have kept his mouth firmly closed.

"There's a lot of players out there, I'm not sure if the public's trying to target Robert," Appleby said.

"It sounds like Robert's saying they will, which only heightens it.

"You drop a piece of meat on the ground, you don't have to yell out 'piece of meat' to the flies, they work out where it is pretty quick.

"If he's yelling out 'they're going to be all over me', well guess what they'll be? All over him.

"I would've kept quiet."

To Appleby, the whole matter is a storm in a beer cup.

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Your Say

Drunken Fans - Genuine concern or storm in a beer cup? (leave a comment)

Australian Masters - Day 2

Appleby holds a slender lead

Robert Allenby held a one-stroke lead during the second round of the Australian Masters at Huntingdale today. The overnight leader was 9-under-par for the tournament, having shot 4-under today through 11 holes.He claimed an eagle and a birdie on the opening nine holes and another birdie on the 10th hole.

Allenby, a two-time champion, shot a 5-under 67 in yesterday's opening round.

Aaron Baddeley held down second place following a 6-under-par 66 today...

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Baddeley has really impressed me this year. I always new he had the talent he just needed a bit of confidence to get him on his way. He finished the year 6th in the Fedex cup rankings and is really starting to become a golfer to watch.

Many of the Aussie golf commentators suggested he went to the US too early and should have started on the European Tour like Adam Scott, but I feel he did the right thing

What do you think? Leave a comment.

Golf News: Allenby leads after first day of Australian Masters

Two-time winner Robert Allenby fired a five-under par round of 67 to lead the Australian Masters by one shot after the first round at Huntingdale Thursday.

The 36-year-old Australian leads Sweden's Fredrik Andersson Hed and Englishman Peter Baker, who are tied second after a four-under 68.

Swede Daniel Chopra, New Zealand's Michael Long and Australians Stuart Appleby, Rod Pampling, Kurt Barnes and Paul Marantz were bunched two shots from the lead at three under par....
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Golf News: BMW Championship - FedEx Cup playoff #2 preview

Only the top 70 players are left standing for the 3rd FedEx Cup playoff the BMW championship. The roots of this tournament go back to 1899 when it was the former Western Open and make it the 3rd oldest golf tournament in the world (only the U.S open and British open are older). Only 30 players will remain in the running after this tournament so I expect their will be some fantastic golf.

Phil Mickelson withdraws for the BMW championship
The biggest news so far is that FedEx Cup points leader Phil Mickelson has withdrawn from the event because he says he needs to spend more time with his family. Now this could be seen as a serious problem for the FedEx Cup in the race to become golfs ultimate prize as you can't imagine Phil would not be taking a break in the lead up to say the British open or other major.

My prediction
With Phil out of the running I think that Tiger will be the favorite and rightly so he has won at Cog Hill three times and has never finished lower than seventh on the course! My outside picks would have to be Steve Stricker, who is in great form, and Robert Allenby, who won this tournament back in 2000.