Tony Romo jets from Nevada to play in the Wisconsin State Amateur on a course he’d never seen

WAUKESHA – Within 96 hours, Tony Romo played 72 holes of golf.

He still can’t get enough of it, even if he’s never seen the course before.

The former Dallas Cowboys All-Pro quarterback and CBS commentator from Burlington competed Monday in the 123rd Wisconsin State Amateur Golf Championship at The Legend at Merrill Hills.

He flew across the country to Wisconsin just hours after playing in the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

“It’s fun,” he said of the celebrity tournament. “We take a lot of family and friends. We probably had 20 people or so. That’s one of our favorite trips of the year.

“It was a blast outside of golf. When you play good golf, everything’s more fun.”

Romo is no stranger to the American Century Championship, having won it in 2018, 2019, and 2022. He came up short this year, though, tying with Jacksonville Jaguars’ head coach Doug Pederson for 38th.

Romo sought to redeem himself in the State Amateur, despite having to make a quick transition from the American Century Championship.

He’s no stranger to the immediate turn.

Last year, due to a delayed flight, Romo didn’t get in until 3:30 a.m. He knew, though, that he had a special opportunity to play with his dad, Ramiro, who also qualified for the opening round at the Erin Hills golf course.

Although Ramiro isn’t playing this year, Tony still made the trip after a disappointing performance in Lake Tahoe.

“It means a lot,” he said. “If it wasn’t this tournament, I don’t think I would probably be coming. It’s a long week (at Lake Tahoe). I feel like it just shows how much I want to play and how good the WSGA does to put this on.

“It’s gonna be as good a golf course as you’re gonna play every year, condition-wise. It’s as well done as any tournament you’re gonna play in the state. They’ve really outdone themselves this year and last year, each time I’ve played.”

Unfortunately, the struggles Romo faced in Lake Tahoe followed him for his first-ever round of golf at The Legend at Merrill Hills.

In the first round, he finished 14-over-par 85 and is tied for No. 149, four strokes out of last place.

“All the above,” he said when asked about multiple potential injuries.

Before the celebrity tournament, Romo was in France with family. He felt the turnaround between France and Nevada also threw off his game.

“Chipping, wedge game has been poor when I came back,” he said. “I’ve been hitting the ball fine. When I came back it just felt a little foreign. Just trying to work out the kinks now.”

Even with NFL training camps opening up next week, CBS’ main color commentator has some more golf tournaments lined up. He’s set to play in the Texas State Open and the Utah State Open.

Romo’s plan for improvement in the next couple tournaments?

“I think in the future I need to see the golf course before I play it,” he said.

“That’ll probably help.”