August 15, 2016
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Australian golfer Robert Allenby was arrested for disorderly conduct outside an American gambling casino, just hours after missing the cut at the John Deere Classic tournament.
The 45-year-old from Melbourne was also charged with criminal trespassing after the early Saturday incident at Jumer's Casino in Rock Island, Illinois.
He was eventually released on $1,500 bail and returned to his US home in Jupiter, Florida, USA Today reported Sunday.
"I don't know anything that's going on, so you can say whatever you want," Allenby told the newspaper.
He said he was playing cards at the casino with his golf and caddie buddies.
"There's nothing to be said or done about. Nothing happened," Allenby said.
Saturday's arrest isn't the first time the two-time Tour of Australasia Order of Merit winner has encountered US law authorities after a missed cut.
In January 2015, Allenby missed the cut in the Sony Open in Hawaii and said he was abducted and beaten after visiting a Honolulu wine bar. His story came under scrutiny when witnesses said they saw the Australian at a strip bar.
Allenby said he didn't remember much of the night until he was pushed out of a car more than 10 kilometers (six miles) from the wine bar without his wallet and cell phone.
An arrest eventually was made and a Honolulu man was given five years in jail for using Allenby's credit cards.
Allenby shot even-par 142 at the John Deere event in Silvis, Illinois, and missed the cut by three strokes.
