Golf: Allenby leaves Open with parting shot

Robert Allenby took a parting shot at the Australian Open greens after missing the cut on Friday, suggesting his early exit was a blessing in disguise.

Allenby, a controversial International team captain's pick for next week's Presidents Cup, sounded happy to leave The Lakes and head to hometown Melbourne to get some early practice at the Cup venue.

"I'm not quite at my absolute best but I'll have the whole weekend at Royal Melbourne," said Allenby after shooting 73 for a four-over-par 148 total.

"I played a lot better today, drove it better (but) putting on these greens isn't going to do you any favours.

"I'm happy to get down there (to Royal Melbourne) and putt on some real greens."

Allenby was not the only player less than thrilled with the greens at The Lakes, which are slow and a little bumpy.

Allenby has a poor Presidents Cup record - eight wins, 14 losses and two halves in five appearances - but this will be his first Cup in Australia, after missing the team in 1998.

And given his affinity for Royal Melbourne, his favourite course, he warns not to read anything into his disappointing Australian Open performance.

"We're all fired up," Allenby said of the International team.

"Jason (Day) and I were talking about it the last two days.

"It really doesn't matter how good and bad you're playing going into that event. Once you get there and start focusing as a team, you get dragged along by all the good stuff."

Allenby, who played with Tiger Woods and Day at the Open, said he had spoken a little with Woods about Royal Melbourne, but wasn't going to divulge secrets.

"I'm not going to give away a lot to him," Allenby said with a smile.

International captain Greg Norman chose Allenby and Aaron Baddeley as his two captain's picks for the Presidents Cup.

Allenby has not had a great year, slipping to 65th in the world rankings, but Norman is counting on the Victorian to fire on a hometown course where's he's played countless times.

- AAP