Allenby withdraws from Bridgestone and PGA Championship
Robert Allenby slipped on his boat while fishing and tore ligaments in his right knee. He has announced that he will not be competing at the Bridgestone Invitational this week, or PGA Championship next week.
Allenby had been excited for this week’s tournament at the Firestone Golf Course in Akron, Ohio., and the final major of the season at Whistling Straits next week. He said that he is “depressed” about having to miss out on the events but has no choice but to sit them out this year.
Allenby came in second place to Tiger Woods last year at Bridgestone, and was looking forward to the opportunity to play against Woods and possibly earn redemption. “I spent last week working my a**e off to get my game in order and I was ready to go," he said.
His weekend fishing trip in the Bahamas was a decision he made to get a little rest and relaxation in before the tournaments began. Allenby, 39, said that he slipped on a wet spot on the boat’s deck and his legs went in different directions, figuring he had hyper-extended his knee.
"I was walking from one part of the boat to another when my right foot went one way and my left foot the other," he said. Allenby tried to remain positive that the accident didn’t result in a more sever injury. “I hyper-extended my right knee. It could have been worse, because if I had injured the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) I could have missed a full season.”
Allenby underwent tests on Tuesday that revealed he indeed had torn ligaments. He immediately underwent arthroscopic surgery, and publicly announced his withdrawal from both tournaments late Wednesday afternoon.
Allenby’s doctors advised him that three weeks recovery time was more than enough, and he will be able to return to the game in time for the FedEx Cup playoffs.
The Australian is number one in his native country and 14th in the world rankings. Allenby’s love for the open sea has gotten him injured in the past. In June Allenby wrenched his left wrist and forearm after his boat ran aground. Although the injury wasn't serious he initially he believed he would be unable to play at the U.S Open. Allenby suffered through the pain and placed 29th at Pebble Beach only a couple weeks after the accident occurred.
Allenby’s replacement in the PGA Champion field is D.J. Trahan.
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