The most high-profile pairing in US Amateur Four-Ball history is heading home early.
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, now the lead NFL analyst for CBS, and his partner, 6-foot-10 University of Texas freshman Tommy Morrison, failed to qualify for match play after the duo finished three shots outside the 8-under cut.
Romo and Morrison were in prime position to advance to the 2023 US Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Kiawah Island Club after a 4-under 67 at Cassique on Saturday, but a 1-under 70 on Sunday at the River Course wasn’t enough.
“It was great,” said Romo after his first USGA championship experience. “The USGA put on an incredible tournament. The course setup was amazing and just the way they go about the process, it’s just a special championship to be part of. It was rewarding.”
“This week was a great way for us to extend our friendship. I think we got closer after this week,” added Morrison. “Four-ball is a perfect format for that. We had a lot of fun, and I look forward to more events with Tony.”
Tony Romo smiles as he walks down the third hole fairway during the first round of the 2023 US Amateur Four-Ball at Kiawah Island Club (Cassique) in Kiawah Island, SC on Saturday, May 20, 2023. (Chris Keane/USGA)
Tony and Tommy met at a golf club when the Morrisons moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area back in 2019. The pair connected and started playing golf together and immediately hit it off. Over the years the two athletes have grown to cherish their unique relationship.
“I think ever since we met, I don’t want to speak for Tony, but I think we got off to a good start and became friends quickly,” said Morrison. “I mean, only age difference is I probably have to warm up my body a little bit less than he does.”
The 25-year age gap between Romo (43) and Morrison (18) was tied for the fourth largest gap in the field.
Morrison now heads to Arizona for the NCAA Div. I Men’s Golf Championship, which begins on Friday at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, while Romo will go back to his offseason from calling NFL games for CBS.
The US Amateur Four-Ball Championship and US Women’s Amateur Four-Ball were played for the first time in 2015 and were the first additions to the USGA competition roster since the US Women’s Mid-Amateur was added in 1987.
Ten teams were in a playoff for the final two spots in match play at this year’s Four-Ball, and after the Monday morning playoff the first round of match play will begin, followed by the second and quarterfinal rounds on May 23. The semifinal matches will be played the morning of May 24, with the championship match slated for later that afternoon. Sampsonyunhe Zheng and Aaron Du claimed a share of stroke-play medalist honors with 2022 semifinalists Carter Loflin and Wells Williams.
Story originally appeared on GolfWeek