U.S. AMATEUR FOUR-BALL

May 19, 2023

Tony Romo

Tommy Morrison

Kiawah Island Club (Cassique)

Press Conference

Q. Tony, kind of just go through what it's like to play in your first USGA Championship. I know you haven't started yet, but you've been through a practice round, the registration process.

TONY ROMO: Well, I mean, you can tell how hard it is to get into a USGA Championship because there is so much talent out there. What we had to shoot to get through when we were in Oklahoma, I mean, we had to go 9-under, and that -- I felt like it would be a 6-under, maybe 7, so that just shows you the overall talent that's out there and how golf has grown over the years.

Because I'm pretty old. I remember back in the day some of the scores and numbers for certain tournaments and everything now is up. I think it's exciting and very enjoyable to be able to play because everything is first class. Course is in perfect shape.

You know, you play good golf you get rewarded. If you don't, you'll be penalized.

Q. You've been through a few qualifying processes though, so you've had a taste of what it takes to get through a qualifier.

TONY ROMO: Yeah.

Q. The Open, the Amateur.

TONY ROMO: Uh-huh.

Q. So did that help when you guys tried to qualify for the Four-Ball last fall?

TONY ROMO: Yeah, I got through local for the U.S. Open some years back, but I feel like it's still just golf. At its fundamental level it's are you playing good golf? If you're playing good golf you give yourself an opportunity, and I think Tommy would tell you he's probably proved over the last two or three years.

Granted, he's 12 years old. (Laughter.)

Q. Has he been growing at the same rate?

TONY ROMO: No, at 12 he was the same size. I think at 16 he was probably the same size. Am wrong saying that, or no?

TOMMY MORRISON: No, you're right. You're right.

TONY ROMO: I think that you just try and keep improving on your game and that is what makes you have -- I say confidence comes through demonstrated ability to yourself, being able to do it when it counts.

We've been able to do that a little more recently and that makes it exciting and gives us a chance this week.

Q. Did you play golf as a kid? I know your dad's a pretty good player. He's played the Senior Am.

TONY ROMO: Yeah.

Q. Where did the love of golf come from? Where did you start?

TONY ROMO: My dad -- for Christmas I got golf clubs I think when I was eight, but I don't know. Honestly, I think that probably started when I actually -- I played on the high school golf team, but I don't think I ever actually hit a ball on the range until I was probably in college.

And so once you start to play golf and you like are ever going to compete, I think you start to hit shots and you hit your first flush shots, and that kind of starts to grab you.

I had other responsibilities and stuff throughout my life, but I knew that when I was done playing I would like to try and improve and attack it. It's taken a while, but slowly I was able to come out and do something decent to get us here.

Q. A lot of pro athletes talk about when you retire from the sport you were playing in as a professional, golf kind of replaces that competitive fire. We've seen that. We've had other NFL guys, Kyle Williams, Danny Wooden, and actually Billy Joe Tolliver, too.

TONY ROMO: Yeah.

Q. Seen a baseball player make it through. Is that kind of --

TONY ROMO: Who was the baseball player?

Q. Erik Hanson. Was All-Star with the Red Socks.

TONY ROMO: Any of those guys get through -- (talking over one another.)

Q. Kyle, round of 16.

TONY ROMO: Kyle is a good player, too. I remember right after that he came out to Lake Tahoe. It's almost like an anomaly. You're watching it and you're like he's actually really good.

Q. Has golf kind of -- I mean, it gives that you competitive fire when you no longer do the sport that you played professionally at?

TONY ROMO: For me -- I don't want to speak for anyone else, but for me, feels like I like to compete probably more so than, you know, anything else.

And then I love golf. I love football like no other, but golf provides that outlet, so there is no question that it helps once you retire.

Golf is an incredible game because you really don't have to retire. You can just keep playing. Like almost all the other ones at the highest level, at some point you're going to be done. I think that's just one of the true gifts of this sport.

Q. How did you guys formulate this team, because obviously the age difference.

TONY ROMO: I met Tommy in Dallas. We were at a golf club there. You know, he's easy to like and he's a great golfer, and he was -- from a young age he's another anomaly, because they don't make them 6'10". What's your actual height?

TOMMY MORRISON: 6'9".

Q. Shoes off?

TONY ROMO: He's probably 6'10" --

Q. 6'10" with a hat.

TONY ROMO: But then he texted me and asked, and I was like, well, I got myself a partner, so here we go.

Q. Had you played a lot of Four-Ball before you started playing with Tommy?

TONY ROMO: No, I had not tried this championship yet before.

Q. The other Four-Ball events, regionally?

TONY ROMO: I have not.

TOMMY MORRISON: Just in games back home.

Q. Tommy, what impressed you about Tony's game? Obviously he's played at a high level.

TOMMY MORRISON: Sure.

Q. Recently.

TOMMY MORRISON: Yeah, ever since we started playing together I always been impressed with his game from tee to green. I think it's impressive what he can do from tee to green and the speed that he has.

He's got speed and he's got finesse, so always taking distance off is no problem for him. I think that's super impressive being the athlete that he was on a professional stage to have that touch.

Q. You started college in January.

TOMMY MORRISON: Yes, sir.

Q. So you had a pretty good start to your college season this week.

TOMMY MORRISON: Yeah.

Q. Regionals?

TOMMY MORRISON: Yes, sir.

Q. What's come out of your game in the last couple months?

TOMMY MORRISON: Yeah, it took me a little bit to get settled into school. I got there in January, and I would be lying if I said I didn't feel like I jumped straight into the deep end.

It was a warm welcome for a couple weeks and had a good finish or two early, and then regionals last week was great.

I think once I got settled in and got more comfortable, you know, life off the golf course has to be good to play well on the golf course. That was big for me.

Q. How are you physically? You're coming off three rounds. Now here. You're going Nationals next week. Your coach is a pretty nice guy letting you come play this.

TOMMY MORRISON: Exactly, exactly. Yeah, Coach Fields was very nice to let this happen this happen. But I played multiple weeks back-to-back in a row, I think any time you come to a USGA venue get a little fire in you to keep playing. I think the adrenaline I have will keep me going.

TONY ROMO: And he's so young.

TOMMY MORRISON: Plenty of naps.

Q. How is the chemistry with the age difference? Good chemistry? You guys relate to certain things?

TONY ROMO: Very difficult. No.

Q. Sometimes there is a generation, gap, you know.

TOMMY MORRISON: 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. I mean, only age difference is I probably have to warm up my body a little bit less than he does.

Q. Saw you stretching a lot this week on the range.

TONY ROMO: You guys will all get old one day. After a couple back surgeries, you have no choice.

Q. Did your dad give you any advice having gone through the Senior Amateur?

TONY ROMO: Yeah, dad has told me so many things over the years, I feel like at this point he's almost out of it. When I say that it's because I cared and listened to it, but he's -- he knows, you just keep your focus on what's important.

When I say that, I mean, like most people think about the wrong things when you're going through it. I've gone through it enough now where, you know, me and dad are best friends so we're just kind of talking.

You just got to do what's right in front of and you make important what's important.

Q. Is Jim Nantz going to give you a little shoutout on the PGA this week?

TONY ROMO: I don't know -- no, I don't think so. I hope not.

Q. Have you played with Jim much?

TONY ROMO: Oh, yeah, me and Jim. Jim is the best guy ever. When people talk about the guy you see on TV, he's that guy, who is if not even nicer.

He's got a great heart. He loves golf. It's a passion of his. We've played a bunch together and it's been so fun, and now he's doing that with his son, Jameson.

It's pretty cool to see. Son has a great swing. I think there is a chance you might see a young Jameson Nancy out.

Q. Keep our eyes out. Compete against Charlie Woods maybe?

TONY ROMO: He's a little younger, but, yes.

Q. You mentioned you don't have a lot of Four-Ball experience, but have you guys talked strategy at all the first two rounds? Are you just going to try and make as many birdies as possible?

TONY ROMO: I think a little bit of both. When I say that I think you're trying to make as many birdies as possible. Ultimately, you should be going out there to play your own game and just doing what gives you the best opportunity to create the best score on that hole, and so you make the decisions based on that.

When you start thinking about the other things -- I think more people hurt themselves when they start -- team stuff is different because you're letting down somebody and so things become -- shouldn't be. Everything should be the same. But ultimately you're going to be excited and nervous, things of that nature.

That's normal. The more times you experience that the more you know that, and if you study and do things, then you understand that what is most important is doing what you do and keeping it that simple and keeping your fundamentals solid.

Don't let your mind go places. We're not dumb either. If he hits a ball, or I hit a ball in the water, the other guy might not hit a certain shot. When that comes up, we'll then adjust.

Before then, you're just playing.

TOMMY MORRISON: Yeah, I don't think we talked a lot, even at the qualifier. If each individual takes care of their business and does what they need to do, it usually adds up to a good number. I think that goes for any team event.

Q. What did you think about the courses? You saw River today. Have you played Cassique?

TONY ROMO: Not yet.

Q. What do you guys think of the courses?

TOMMY MORRISON: Super cool. I think River is a little bit harder than Cassique, but both are fun and I think they're perfect golf courses for this format.

There is some risk-reward on both golf courses, and I think that's why it's perfect. But then again, good golf at Cassique especially could lead to a pretty low number, so there are some scoring opportunities out here and obviously it's super pure.

Q. It is. Curious if some of the NFL guys or analysts texted you after you qualified for though thing. It got out there.

TONY ROMO: Yeah, I mean, at this point I feel like -- because my phone, when I look at it I'm like, I got to put it away otherwise I feel like I have to just -- I'll be on it for too long.

So I try to -- everyone reaches out. It's been a great experience getting ready for this, and just so many people supporting you and wanting you to do well.

So I think it's a very -- it's an exciting week to be able to go and see how good we can be. I know Tommy is playing well. He's really dialed in. His game is sharp right now.

This is the best I've seen him in his young career and he's obviously young so he should have a progression. He really has progressed, and I think you'll see that this week.

I'm not young, but I'm young as far as starting this about five, six years ago, and I think I'm finally turning the corner where I actually have gotten to be a pretty tight game and I don't have glaring weaknesses.

I feel like most of the stuff is giving me an opportunity to score on a pretty good level day in and day out and compete against these guys.

Q. Think you'll inspire some other NFL guys to give this a shot? A lot of guys out there that are serious golfers.

TONY ROMO: Yeah, I don't think they should use me as any personal inspiration.

Q. Have you played with a lot of them? I know Josh Allen is a good golfer.

TONY ROMO: Yeah.

Q. Steph Curry.

TONY ROMO: Yeah, I play with all those guys. It's one of those things, golf, once it hits you, you got that bug. Same thing. In the off-season, all these guys play all the time, and it's like something you get a passion about and you want to get better. It's just a hard sport to really improve.

I really didn't improve improve until this last six months to maybe a year, probably really last six months. I thought I was improving but then it's like, do you do it when counts. That's where it shows you.

You play in tournaments and stuff that matters to show you how to practice. That's kind of where it's like you know where your real flaws are, and I think that's part of the greatness of the game of golf. Shows you exactly who you are right now.