Tony Romo Disqualified from Korn Ferry Qualifier on Same Day He Parts Ways with CBS Sports
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was disqualified from a Korn Ferry Tour pre-qualifier for signing an incorrect scorecard on the same day his separation from CBS Sports was announced, capping a turbulent stretch for the broadcaster and amateur golfer.
Tony Romo's difficult year continued this month when the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was disqualified from a Korn Ferry Tour pre-qualifier for signing an incorrect scorecard — on the very same day his departure from CBS Sports became public.
The disqualification occurred at the Club at Forest Ridge in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, where Romo had opened with rounds of 76 and 75. That left him 13 strokes behind the leaders after 36 holes, but still in position to potentially advance to the next stage of Q-School with a strong third round. Instead, confusion over his score on two holes ended his tournament.
According to, three different versions of Romo's third-round score emerged. Romo signed his scorecard showing a 4 on the 16th hole and a 4 on the 17th. His playing partner and marker, Brandon Rice, recorded a 4 on the 16th but a 5 on the 17th. A PGA professional and walking referee assigned to track Romo's group after it was put on the clock for slow play recalled Romo having a 5 on the 16th and a 5 on the 17th.
Pre-qualifier administrator Rob Keller told he believed the slow-play situation, Romo's inability to make birdies, and «all that was going on with him» contributed to Romo not thoroughly checking his marker's version of the score. Keller added that Romo «took responsibility» during a phone conversation and was «very complimentary» about the quality of the tournament.
Romo would not have advanced based on his third-round score regardless, but the disqualification added another layer to an already eventful day. The same day, news broke that Romo and CBS Sports had mutually agreed to part ways after he had been placed on indefinite leave earlier in the year. The separation followed his summer arrest in Wisconsin for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, an incident that generated widespread attention after police body camera footage circulated online.
Romo, 46, had been one of CBS Sports' lead football analysts and was still owed tens of millions of dollars on his contract. While he started his broadcasting career to strong reviews, he had recently faced criticism from fans regarding his analysis. His departure was described as a mutual agreement between the two sides.
The Korn Ferry pre-qualifier represented an ambitious step for Romo, an accomplished amateur golfer who has long been known for his skill on the course. Competing at that level — far from the PGA Tour or Champions Tour — was still an impressive feat for a player without professional status. But the scorecard discrepancy, combined with the slow-play warning, ensured the tournament ended in disqualification rather than advancement.
Keller's account suggests the day's events may have distracted Romo from the routine task of verifying his score with his marker. In stroke-play golf, players are responsible for the accuracy of their scorecards, and signing for a lower score than actually taken results in disqualification. The rule is strictly enforced at every level of competitive golf, from amateur events to the professional tours.
For Romo, the disqualification closes a chapter that had already been overshadowed by his television career news. Whether golf will become a larger part of his post-CBS life remains uncertain, but the pre-qualifier result offered little encouragement for a professional playing career. His playing partner's card and the referee's recollection both differed from Romo's signed version, leaving tournament officials with no choice but to enforce the disqualification.
The episode marks the latest development in a turbulent stretch for Romo, who rose to fame as the Cowboys' starting quarterback before transitioning to a highly paid broadcasting role. His CBS contract had been among the most lucrative in sports television. The mutual separation, combined with the golf disqualification, made for a particularly difficult day for the former Pro Bowl passer.
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