Tony Romo is making the most of his post-football life. Fresh from calling his first Super Bowl this past Sunday, he’ll tee it up at this week’s Pebble Beach Pro-Am, with a bag that includes second-hand sticks…from Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth.
Tony Romo is living a charmed life, and that’s true even if you forget that he was the franchise quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys for more than a decade. He just finished his second season as the lead color commentator for CBS’ NFL broadcasts, alongside legendary play-by-play man Jim Nantz (hello, friends). He took to it like a fish to water, with an incredible tendency to call out plays well before the snap. But now, it’s onto his true passion – golf season.
Romo’s golfing exploits have been well-documented, including several attempts (and close calls) to qualify for the U.S. Open. He’s a scratch-or-better golfer, carrying a plus-3 handicap at his home course, Dallas National Golf Club. Oh, and while he’s there, he’s been known to head out for friendly rounds with one of Dallas’s favorite sons, Jordan Spieth.
It’s those type of connections that makes Romo so interesting to watch on the golf course. While he may never live out the dream of playing full-time on the Tour, he’s gotten a bit of help in the gear department along the way.
Almost all of us start playing golf with second-hand clubs, often the sticks our dad (or grandfather!) used before upgrading to some “real” gear. When we decide that this beautiful, frustrating game is something we want to spend all of our time – and money – on, maybe we splurge on a new $500 driver or a $1,000-plus set of irons. It’s got to make us better, right?
Well, Tony Romo isn’t THAT much different from us in that regard. Heck, he’s got a couple of hand-me-down clubs in his bag this week at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Except they’re not exactly the type you can get at your local pro shop. No, these come straight out of the bags of Spieth and Tiger Woods.
What's in @TonyRomo's golf bag?@TigerWoods' putter and @JordanSpieth's wedge. https://t.co/QdeKvVQfpS
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 5, 2019
That’s right, Romo is using a wedge from short-game wizard Jordan Spieth, as well as a Nike Method putter that Tiger Woods bagged until Nike got out of the gear game a couple years ago. Although, if you take a look at the full setup in Romo’s bag, that might not even be the most interesting thing. He’s out at Pebble Beach putting Trackman numbers on multiple drivers, and dialing in his Mizuno iron set.
Of course, as is always the case, the guy swinging the stick is far more important than what’s in his hands. He’s been in the winner’s circle plenty of times in the past, including a victory at the American Century Championship to unseat former major-league ace Mark Mulder, who had won the event three years in a row.
He also made his PGA TOUR debut last year, taking a sponsor’s exemption in to the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship, despite missing the cut in last place. Romo has maintained his amateur status, though, with his sights still set on playing in the USGA’s biggest tournaments.
He’s a strong bet to come out on top in the amateur field this week in Pebble Beach, and he’ll head into the summer with a major championship appearance on his mind again. Maybe he’ll get that extra little bit of mojo from his major-winning pals.