Safeway Open 2019: Tony Romo, Steph Curry highlight celebrity Pro-Am field
The Safeway Open boasts one of the strongest fields in recent years – and we’re not even talking about the pros that will be playing on Thursday.
The pro-am is a long-lasting tradition on the PGA TOUR, and this week at the Safeway Open will be no different. Well, actually, that’s not entirely true. Sure, there’ll be the usual band of double-digit handicappers who are VIPs with sponsors or have otherwise deep pockets. But this will also be a unique opportunity to see celebrities and athletes from other sports tee it up alongside the pros.
This week, if you look down the pairings list, two big names will immediately pop off the page. Those would be Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry, and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current CBS NFL broadcaster extraordinaire Tony Romo. They’re paired with some equally impressive PGA TOUR talent in Phil Mickelson and Justin Thomas, respectively. Talk about having some star power out there, and the official tournament hasn’t even begun.
Celebrities and golf have gone hand in hand for decades, but these two players in particular are worth an extra look, particularly because of their serious commitments to becoming high-quality golfers separate from their current careers. In fact, they’ve been so committed that they’ve drawn legitimate criticism over the years, which surprises me to this day.
The reason is simple, if not entirely fair: Curry played in the Ellie Mae Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour (then the Web.com Tour) for the past two years. Romo has played on the PGA TOUR proper three times, twice missing the cut at the Corales Puntacana (opposite the WGC Match Play), and more recently finishing 148th at the 2019 AT&T Byron Nelson. The refrain has been the same each time.
“But they’re taking a real player’s spot!”
First things first – both Curry and Romo are “real players”. Curry is reportedly a low single-digit handicap and pushing scratch, with Romo carrying a +0.3 into competition. Granted, your typical touring pro is probably better than +2, but these guys can go. And better yet, they’re helping bring a ton of crossover attention from NBA and NFL fans to the golfing world. When they’re out there with some of the most popular players on Tour, it’s a good look for everyone.
Curry will simply be a spectator when the actual tournament kicks off on Thursday in Napa, but Romo will continue to play on, with the blessing of his employer. Romo is scheduled to broadcast the game between the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon, but CBS has a backup plan in case he makes his first-ever PGA TOUR cut.
Considering he’s never shot better than 8-over in any of his three previous starts, I’ll just assume that I’ll be hearing his Nostradamus-like gridiron knowledge this weekend on national airwaves, alongside fellow golf icon Jim Nantz. Either way, not a bad way for a guy to spend a weekend.
Safeway Open 2019 Power Rankings. dark. Next
Between a powerfull fall field and some additional celebrity buzz, this week at the Safeway Open is going to be one to watch, starting a day earlier than usual.