Golfing News

Australian Robert Allenby has taken to the field eleven times in search of a US Masters win and the coveted green jacket, but after all these attempts he has finally decided that this year he will try a different tack – by being less aggressive. Following a heart-to-heart with golfing legend Jack Nicklaus, the Melbourne-based golfer has come to the conclusion that his mistake all these years – highlighted by the fact that his best ever finish at Augusta has been tied for 22nd place – has been trying too hard rather than playing a little safer and consolidating position.

Augusta is well known as being incredibly challenging with plenty of reward for driving long and straight from the tee on some of the longer par fives, and as a result, his advice to shoot more for the middle of the greens and to try to make the putts from there, rather than attempting miracle shots at invisible pins may well be some of the best of his career. Playing smart is the only way to take on such a tricky course effectively, and it’s only a shame that this fantastically able golfer is only just waking up to this realisation now. Anyone looking to bet on US Masters should bear this in mind though.

Having never finished higher than seventh in any of his attempts for a major, Allenby will certainly not be under any great pressure to impress, especially from the media and journalists who believe that they have seen all he has to offer. The golf odds certainly suggest he won’t be pushing the leaders. But this new and improved Allenby, armed with a new approach, could well mount a serious challenge for the title. If Nicklaus was happy to simply put the ball within an acceptable distance of the pin, trusting his short game to not have to three-putt, then such a change could knock several shots a round off the likeable Aussie’s score card.

He would follow in the footsteps of Zach Johnson, who famously changed to a more conservative approach four years ago and triumphed accordingly, but Mickelson and Woods are two of the most aggressive – yet successful – players on the tour though, so slow and steady is certainly not the only way to go, but it never hurts to try something new and should he place higher than 22nd, he will consider it a lesson learned.

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