Tony Romo Playing in the Byron Nelson - How Will He Fare?

[Big C]

Tony Romo is playing the AT&T Byron Nelson on a sponsor's exemption this week. It will be his 3rd professional event. His prior 2 exemptions were in the Domincan Republic and I believe he low round ever was a 77. Not exactly a stellar performance from someone that seems to hold onto aspirations that he can compete against the big boys.

The Byron Nelson will be hosted on Romo's home course, and by all accounts, he has been spending a lot of time working on his game recently. Both of those things work to his advantage. 

I feel a little crazy saying it, but I think he's going to go low at least one of the days, and finish with a round at 72 or better. The guy is clearly an elite athlete, and his prior woes at the Dominican events were mostly putting related. His ball-striking was actually pretty solid. On greens that he knows well, I think he's got at least one low round in him. 

[Vinsk]

I voted somewhere between 73-77. He’s a good player and it stops right there.

[ChrisP]

Why is he playing again? Don’t get me wrong, I like Romo, but don’t understand why he got a special invite. I’ve seen him play before and he’s okay for Pro-Am and celeb contests, but not good enough to play with the big boys.

[David in FL]

Close to DFL.

 

[iacas]

20 minutes ago, ChrisP said:

Why is he playing again?

Because it's a sponsor's invitation.

They are putting up a lot of money, so they get to invite a few people for reasons completely their own.

And I think he'll average 73-77, but one of the two rounds he plays will be 78+. So I voted for that, but I think he might shoot 79-74 or something.

[ChrisP]

8 minutes ago, iacas said:

Because it's a sponsor's invitation.

They are putting up a lot of money, so they get to invite a few people for reasons completely their own.

Gotcha. Was just curious. Wasn’t sure if he qualified or if it was invite or some other reason. Just read the article. I wish him luck. Should be good for attendance and interest.

Edited May 7, 2019 by ChrisP

[Big C]

31 minutes ago, David in FL said:

Close to DFL.

 

The scores in this event tend to be pretty low compared to the typical tour stops. He could easily go 72-78, or something similar, and finish in the bottom 5. I think last year, the cut was 4-under par.

With that said, I would still consider a single round of 72 under tour conditions to be pretty damn impressive. 

25 minutes ago, iacas said:

And I think he'll average 73-77, but one of the two rounds he plays will be 78+. So I voted for that, but I think he might shoot 79-74 or something.

To clarify, when I said "lowest" round, I meant the better of his two rounds. So it sounds like you should have voted for the 73-77 option.

[iacas]

21 minutes ago, Big C said:

To clarify, when I said "lowest" round, I meant the better of his two rounds. So it sounds like you should have voted for the 73-77 option.

I skimmed. I'll change my vote.

[dennyjones]

1 hour ago, ChrisP said:

Why is he playing again? Don’t get me wrong, I like Romo, but don’t understand why he got a special invite. I’ve seen him play before and he’s okay for Pro-Am and celeb contests, but not good enough to play with the big boys.

Whether he plays well or not, I voted not, he's a crowd favorite.   His name still draws people especially in Dallas.    Money talks.

 

I went back and reread the question...What will be the lower of Tony Romo's score Thursday / Friday?   One round will be good, the other not so good.   I voted his lowest will be 73-77,  (his good round)

Edited May 7, 2019 by dennyjones
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[David in FL]

37 minutes ago, Big C said:

The scores in this event tend to be pretty low compared to the typical tour stops. He could easily go 72-78, or something similar, and finish in the bottom 5. I think last year, the cut was 4-under par.

 

That’s why I just said that he’d be towards the very bottom.  I have no idea what the scores will be, but relative to the pros, he’ll be waaaaayy down...

[pganapathy]

I figure he has one sub-par round in him.  It is his home course and he has been practicing.  He will probably still not make the cut but I reckon his athleticism and ability to focus under pressure (albeit in a different sport) will help him enough to just about manage a decent round. 70 to 72 is probably his Friday round when the pressure is off him as making the cut is too far away.

[Papa Steve 55]

1 hour ago, iacas said:

Because it's a sponsor's invitation.

They are putting up a lot of money, so they get to invite a few people for reasons completely their own.

And I think he'll average 73-77, but one of the two rounds he plays will be 78+. So I voted for that, but I think he might shoot 79-74 or something.

So is an invitation different from an exemption? What I'm wondering is, is he taking the place of a pro or just a crowd pleasing add on?

[iacas]

13 minutes ago, Papa Steve 55 said:

So is an invitation different from an exemption? What I'm wondering is, is he taking the place of a pro or just a crowd pleasing add on?

The sponsor invitations don't take a place from anyone - sponsors get to invite whomever they like, with no criteria for anyone having "earned" it.

Often they'll give them to older players they have had a good relationship with, local young talent, celebrities or people who can help attendance/local interest, etc.

Sometimes they give them to up-and-coming players, but not always or maybe even "often."

[ncates00]

1 hour ago, Papa Steve 55 said:

So is an invitation different from an exemption? What I'm wondering is, is he taking the place of a pro or just a crowd pleasing add on?

As @iacas stated: "it's a sponsor's invitation.  They are putting up a lot of money, so they get to invite a few people for reasons completely their own."

Merit doesn't matter.  It's their prerogative; they're the tournament sponsor after all.  Makes sense to me.

 

[Patch]

I have a $20 bet at the local book that he wins. Yeah, I know. Fat chance on that happening......however, what if....???

[David in FL]

31 minutes ago, Patch said:

I have a $20 bet at the local book that he wins. Yeah, I know. Fat chance on that happening......however, what if....???

I’ll take that, and give you 1.5x the odds you’re getting from the local book.  

[Patch]

1 hour ago, David in FL said:

I’ll take that, and give you 1.5x the odds you’re getting from the local book.  

I have him at 8K to 1. Last I looked he is now 10K to 1. I was there betting off the Rockets/Warriors series and saw it on the board. Figured what heck, why not.

[Shindig]

I voted he'll make the 72.  There's a lot of birdies to be had and bogeys to be avoided.  I think he'll make at least as many birdies in each round as he's had NFL conference championship appearances (2).  I don't anticipate him making the cut, but that'd be cool.