With 22 career titles across four Tours, Robert Allenby is a
man who has played with some extremely talented golfers in his time.

His experience means his opinion carries some weight, so
when he says Brett Coletta is the next superstar of Australian golf, it’s not
something to be sneezed at.

"Brett is such an
amazing kid who has such an amazing demeanour," said Allenby.

"No
question. He’s probably got the best swing I’ve seen of any golfer for many,
many years.

"He looks like he’s
going to hit a good shot. When you look at him at address you already know he’s
going to hit a good shot. Same with putting. He has the whole nine yards."

The praise for Coletta didn’t stop there; Allenby paid him
the ultimate compliment comparing him to Australia’s first Masters Champion Adam
Scott.

"I think he’s
amazing. I think he’s a young Adam Scott," added Allenby.

"Swing
wise Scotty has probably got the prettiest swing in the world, but I really
rate him with his swing high up there.

"Adam
has got a smart brain and knows how to get it done and he’s been a champion for
such a long time, but for Brett 20 years old and coming into the game … if he
learns quick he’s going to be a world beater," added Allenby, who hopes to see
that happen next week at the Emirates Australian Open.

"If he was to win
next week he’d get a lot of recognition because that’s world stage with Adam
Scott, Jordan Spieth and
a bunch of others.

"I think another
year under his belt might be a good thing, but from what I saw over the first
two days he’s ready to go (Pro) now.

While Allenby and Coletta played the first two rounds of the
NSW Open together, it’s not the first time the pair have met.

Coletta, who won the Isuzu Queensland Open two weeks ago,
was a ring-in to play Allenby’s charity golf day a few years ago.

"A
really good friend of mine that has played in my charity day for 25 years now
he brought Brett along as the ring-in a few years ago," added Allenby.

"He
said to me, ‘Robert, you’re going to see this guy on tour in a couple of
years’. I said, ‘I hope so’. Then ‘boom’, we’re paired together the first
two days.

"I’m
going, ‘I know this kid, I know this kid’. I’m looking at him as
we’re walking down the fairway and I thought, ‘holy crap this is the kid from a
few years ago’.

Allenby enjoyed a good day on course himself at Stonecutters
Ridge in the third round of the NSW Open.

He fired 6-under 66, equalling his best round of the year,
to be just outside the top-10.

"Every
day I’ve left a bunch out there. I keep hoping I’m going to shoot that 10-under
or 11-under and maybe [Sunday] we’ll see," added Allenby.

"I
feel like I’m getting better each day and I’ve got rid of that jetlag now.
I’m happy I’m moving forwards and not backwards."