Looks like Tony Romo might have to turn his attention, when he’s not focusing on his quarterbacking duties, to a U.S. Open qualifier.

That’s because the folks at the HP Byron Nelson Championship Open have not been able to accommodate the Dallas Cowboys quarterback with a suitable tee time for Monday’s qualifying round. Romo is scheduled to grip it and rip it at 9:57 a.m. on Monday, smack dab in the middle of an OTA that the Cowboys have scheduled.

Where would Romo rather be? Playing non-contact football, of course. At least that’s what he said earlier in the week when he informed tournament officials he needed an afternoon tee time to be able to pull off practice at Valley Ranch and then golf at Stonebridge Ranch Country Club on the Hills Course.

According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, there are 85 golfers scheduled for Monday’s qualifier and PGA rules mandate they play early. Romo has reportedly informed them he will only be able to participate if there is a significant delay.

“If we had a field size of 91 or more players, we would have utilized a morning and afternoon 1st and 10th tee start,” said Mark Harrison, Director of Operations for the Northern Texas PGA. “With 90 or less players, the PGA Tour requires that we tee off in the morning so we have plenty of time to finish the qualifying tournament in case of weather delays and playoffs.

"In a way, Tony was unlucky that a few more players did not enter. If we had a handful more players, we could have accommodated his late tee time request and he would have definitely been able to play after his football commitments.”

Romo can hope for a heck of a storm Monday morning, and he can also look ahead to a U.S. Open qualifier that will not conflict with football activities.

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