NFL: Tony Romo Attempting To Qualify For U.S. Open, Jay Cutler Considering Potential Broadcasting Career

Tony Romo retired from the Dallas Cowboys last month to pursue a career as an NFL game analyst on CBS, but he now also has another ambition in the sports world — in golf, specifically.

Tony Romo trying to qualify for U.S. Open

The 37-year-old former quarterback is hoping to qualify for the 2017 U.S. Open, according to several reports from Wednesday. Romo, who is among nearly 9,500 players signed up for the tournament, will play an 18-hole local qualifier Monday at Split Rail Links and Golf Club near Fort Worth, Texas.

Should Romo advance, he will move on to sectional qualifying on June 5 to reach the U.S. Open, which is scheduled to begin June 12 in Erin Hills, Wisconsin. In total, there are 51 exempt spots for the Open.

The former Cowboys star previously attempted to qualify for the major golf tournament in 2010. In a 36-hole sectional qualifier in which only two of the 35 players advanced, Romo opened with a 71 and withdrew in the afternoon after two weather delays.

The last player to go through local qualifying and win the U.S. Open was Orville Moody in 1969.

Mike Rausch, a vice president at Golf Etc., has caddied for Romo at several tournaments and has played beside him before.

“He’s a pretty good player,” Rausch told USA TODAY Sports. “He’s hasn’t played much. He’s coming back from injury, so I’m not sure where his game is right now. From talking to the guy who works on his clubs and plays with him, I hear he’s putting really well. He’s always been a good putter. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Romo also tried to qualify for the U.S. Open in 2011 before he put competitive golf aside during the offseason following a string of injuries.

Romo’s father, Ramiro, competed in the 2015 U.S. Senior Amateur.

“I could beat him early on,” Ramiro said of his son in 2015. “But when he got to be a senior in high school and then in college, it was really hard. You can’t teach distance, and he can pound the ball.”

Romo appeared before the Texas Legislature on Wednesday, and took photos with senators and congressmen who praised his accomplishments both on and off the field during his NFL career.

State Sen. Don Huffines, a Dallas Republican, was one of many lawmakers who tweeted the photos he took with Romo.

Romo isn’t the only former NFL player to be pursuing new professional endeavors, however. Much like Romo, former Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is interested in starting a career in TV broadcasting, according to several reports.

The 34-year-old auditioned for a potential broadcasting role this week, per an NFL Media report. Citing sources, ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson reported that Cutler flew to Los Angeles on April 27 to audition with Fox for a possible position in the network’s television booth.

Fox is seeking a new analyst to work alongside Kevin Burkhardt after John Lynch left to become the San Francisco 49ers’ general manager earlier this offseason.

Cutler, the Bears’ all-time passing leader, has recently struggled to find a team interested in signing him, at least as a starter. The former quarterback reportedly held discussions with the New York Jets and Houston Texans before last week’s draft, although those talks did not produce anything.  Cutler’s football agent, Bus Cook, stated Thursday that the quarterback hasn’t officially retired and “as far as I know, he wants to play football and would play if the right offer came along.” Since Cook only manages Cutler’s NFL contracts, he refused to comment on his client’s broadcasting interests.

“You’d have to talk to Jay about that,” Cook said. “Any football player would be smart to explore his options in case he doesn’t play anymore. But Jay is as talented as any quarterback out there right now.”

Cutler spent eight seasons in Chicago after being drafted by the Denver Broncos as a first-round pick in 2006. He played only five games in 2016 due to injury and was released by the Bears, whom he lead to the NFC Championship Game in 2010, on March 9, the first day of free agency. Cutler also threw a career-worst 26 picks in 2009.

The quarterback’s knowledge of the NFC as a former Bears player would be beneficial to Fox because the network broadcasts the conference’s package of games.

Shortly after he was released by the Bears, Cutler’s actress wife Kristin Cavallari posted a photo on Instagram of the former quarterback standing naked while staring at the ocean. Cavallari added the caption “Good times, no tan lines. Let the sea set you free,” which led many to wonder whether this was an insinuation of Cutler’s imminent retirement from playing football. The picture drew laughs from scores of fans who got to see Cutler’s backside.

SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 25: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to the preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on August 25, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)