Tony Romo played at the Safeway Open last week after receiving a sponsor exemption.
If you tuned into sports last week, you saw Tony Romo on your TV. “That’s not surprising,” you say since we see him on our sets every Sunday announcing the NFL. This week, he received a sponsor exemption and was able to play in the Safeway Open.
Even more surprising was the fact that he opened with a 70, and was -2 through one round. He was actually in play to make a cut at a real PGA event. It fell apart on day two with a 78, but the fact that a former NFL quarterback (and a great one at that) almost made the cut in a legit PGA event is an incredible achievement.
Tony Romo is quietly one of the best athletes we have ever seen. Or at least one of the most well-rounded. When he suited up for the Dallas Mavericks a couple of years ago, stories came out that he was an incredible basketball player back in the day as well, according to Caron Butler.
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Some people have complained when Tony Romo shows up at one of these events, saying that it is taking the opportunity for one of the limited sponsor exemption slots from a local or club pro. Those are who they usually go to.
I beg to differ.
The goal of any professional sport is to make money and get more viewers. They may state other goals, but when it comes down to it, those are the only things that matter to them.
Tony Romo is a very recognizable celebrity. He’s a great speaker, is one of the top commentators/analysts in the NFL right now, and started at quarterback for “America’s Team” for ten years.
If you lined him up with all the players at the Safeway Open, Romo would be more recognizable to golf fans than most of the pro golfers there. When it comes to the general public, he is probably one of the top five most recognizable athletes there.
The PGA should be having guys like Romo play in these once in a while. All it does is help viewership. More fans show up to watch the event, if only for the rare opportunity to see what a “non-golfer” can do against the pros. You get people who might not normally watch to tune in, and you get more youth to turn in because they recognize Tony Romo.
Steph Curry has taken a couple of sponsor exemption opportunities as well, albeit on the Korn Fery Tour. This is while playing in the NBA as an MVP, an NBA finals champ, and one of the most recognizable people in all of sports. Why not get these guys in once in a while to events, as long as they have proven that they deserve it.
The sports world is more competitive than it has ever been. If golf can get a leg-up on the competition by having top names from those other sports come and showcase their talents, then it is a boon for them.
Especially when someone like Tony Romo ends up making the cut.