Tony Romo Fails To Qualify For U.S. Open, Will Focus On Broadcasting

Tony Romo attempted to qualify for the the U.S. Golf Open for the third time in his life on Monday, and for the third time, he failed to advance.

Tony Romo fails to advance in U.S. Open Qualifier

The 37-year-old former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, who recently signed with CBS as a football analyst, shot a 3-over 75 in an 18-hole local qualifier Split Rail Links & Golf Club in Aledo, Texas, to finish tied for 40th. Romo made an eagle on the 600-yard, par-5 14th hole, which left him at one over on the day, although a triple bogey on the following hole ended his chances.

Romo was competing among approximately 80 golfers to secure a spot in the golf tournament, and would have needed to place in the top 7 out of 117 players to reach a sectional qualifier. He was six shots short.

The former NFL star said he will instead focus his attention on his role at CBS, and says he knows there is a learning curve he must pass for both ventures (golfing and working as a commentator) that he has no prior experience in.

“Competition in itself I enjoy and, for me, just improving and looking at something to get better at,” Romo told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “That’s the same thing in broadcasting. I understand I’m coming in without any experience in that world. It’s exciting, it’s a little nerve-wracking, it’s all these things in one. That’s why you love to do things. You’re coming into the unknown and something I have to get better at and I like a challenge. I know I’ll probably stink for a while. Hopefully I’ll continue to improve at that and hopefully get better and be good.”

Romo previously reached a sectional qualifying U.S. Open tournament in 2010. He was forced to withdraw from that competition, however, after rain delays created a conflict with Cowboys offseason practices.

Qualifiers will make up around half of the 156-golfer field at this year’s U.S. Open, which will take place next month at Erin Hills in Romo’s home state of Wisconsin. Pro golfers will comprise the other half.

Romo is replacing Phil Simms as CBS’s top NFL analyst.

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)