19th Hole
Tony Romo slammed by golf fans over his pace of play at U.S. Open qualifier
Former NFL star, Tony Romo, has failed to advance in his local qualifier for this year’s U.S Open.
The one-round shoot-out at Odessa Country Club’s Old Course saw Texas Tech senior Ludvig Aberg lead the way with a 5-under 67, but CBS analyst Romo found himself way off the pace by the time play was finished.
The former Cowboys’ quarterback was attempting to get through to the sectional qualifier for just the second time in his career, but a poor mid-round cost him four shots in five holes, and he eventually finished with a 1-over 73, missing by four.
TV analyst Romo justified his tag as favourite to win last month’s Invited Celebrity Classic but has, so far, found the step-up to Open class a touch too far.
Things were looking good for advancement to the second stage after seven holes when Romo sat at 2-under, but the next five holes cost him dear, even if this wasn’t the only disappointment of the week.
After his first tee-shot last Wednesday, the hot topic of slow play again reared its head, with Twitter users pouncing on his pre-shot routine.
Having been announced. only then does the 43-year-old take the range-finder out, put his glove on, place his tee on the ground, strap the glove and hit the shot. The routine was a visible show of nerves, but keyboard golfers don’t hold back, as both Patrick Cantlay and Max Homa recently found out.
The USGA U.S Open social media account posted the video of the routine, and received some expected replies.
.@TonyRomo has quite the crowd at #USOpen local qualifying today in Texas! @TexasGolfAssoc
Follow along ? https://t.co/w8QTbaZ9crpic.twitter.com/a23SAnKiXc
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) May 3, 2023
Thoughts @AndyTFE @BrendanPorath ? Can’t take the first 35 seconds after announcement shooting a target on a par 5 that you could have shot while you were waiting, putting on your glove (also could have been done before) and putting the ball on the tee right? Am I wrong?
— Alex Coffman (@xander_coffman) May 3, 2023
Twitter user @Tim_Freeze commented: “Seriously? Your name is called, people clap, and THEN you shoot a target??? So many questions…”
The vast majority of responses were of the same theme, with @GeoffJordan5 stating: “Slow play on the 1st tee. Thanks Tony! Be ready to hit when it is your turn. Get your damn glove on, get the distances calculated *before* you get into the tee box. For crying out loud.”
whilst another, @E80317894, saw the need to link all the current new together: “Taking well over a minute to hit a tee shot he will fit right in.”
More from the 19th Hole
19th Hole
How much each player won at the 2026 Masters
Rory McIlroy made it two wins in as many years at Augusta National, seeing off the challengers on a dramatic Sunday to slip on the green jacket once again. The victory earned Rory a whopping payday of $4.5 million, with Scottie Scheffler his closest challenger earning $2.43 million for his sole runner-up finish.
With a total prize purse of $22.5 million up for grabs, here’s a look at how much each player won at the 2026 Masters tournament.
For players that did not make the cut, they still earned $25k for their efforts at the year’s opening major.
- 1: Rory McIlroy, $4.5 million
- 2: Scottie Scheffler, $2.43 million
- T3: Tyrrell Hatton, $1.08 million
- T3: Russell Henley, $1.08 million
- T3: Justin Rose, $1.08 million
- T3: Cameron Young, $1.08 million
- T7: Collin Morikawa, $725,625
- T7: Sam Burns, $725,625
- T9: Xander Schauffele, $630,00
- T9: Max Homa, $630,00
- 11: Jake Knapp, $562,500
- T12: Jordan Spieth, $427,500
- T12: Brooks Koepka, $427,500
- T12: Hideki Matsuyama, $427,500
- T12: Patrick Reed, $427,500
- T12: Patrick Cantlay, $427,500
- T12: Jason Day, $427,500
- T18: Viktor Hovland, $315,000
- T18: Maverick McNealy, $315,000
- T18: Matt Fitzpatrick, $315,000
- T21: Keegan Bradley, $252,000
- T21: Ludvig Aberg, $252,000
- T21: Wyndham Clark, $252,000
- T24: Matt McCarty, $182,083
- T24: Adam Scott, $182,083
- T24: Sam Stevens, $182,083
- T24: Chris Gotterup, $182,083
- T24: Michael Brennan, $182,083
- T24: Brian Campbell, $182,083
- T30: Alex Noren, $146,250
- T30: Harris English, $146,250
- T30: Shane Lowry, $146,250
- T33: Gary Woodland, $121,500
- T33: Dustin Johnson, $121,500
- T33: Brian Harman, $121,500
- T33: Tommy Fleetwood, $121,500
- T33: Ben Griffin, $121,500
- T38: Jon Rahm, $105,750
- T38: Ryan Gerard, $101,250
- T38: Haotong Li, $96,750
- T41: Justin Thomas, $92,250
- T41: Sepp Straka, $87,750
- T41: Jacob Bridgeman, $83,250
- T41: Kristoffer Reitan, $78,750
- T41: Nick Taylor, $74,250
- 46: Sungjae Im, $69,750
- 47: Si Woo Kim, $65,250
- 48: Aaron Rai, $61,650
- T49: Corey Conners, $57,600
- T49: Marco Penge, $57,600
- 51: Kurt Kitayama, $55,250
- 52: Sergio Garcia, $54,000
- 53: Rasmus Hojgaard, $52,650
- 54: Charl Schwartzel, $51,300
19th Hole
CBS’s Sunday Masters coverage slammed by golf fans
While Sunday was a dramatic day at the Masters, many golf fans were left feeling frustrated by the CBS final round coverage.
There were plenty of moments that golf fans took to social media to air their frustrations on Sunday over, including a lack of shots being shown throughout the day, being behind the live action, confusion over the approach shots of the final group on 18, and providing an angle for the winning putt where the cup couldn’t be seen.
Here’s a look at some of the criticisms that were directed at the CBS coverage throughout the day on X:



This has been a brutal broadcast for CBS. When the folks from Augusta sit down with them this year, you can bet they’ll talk about this 15 seconds where we have no idea where Rory’s ball went, and Dottie moans. #TheMasters pic.twitter.com/ak3mkpIN7V
— Ryan (@PossiblyRy) April 12, 2026
It’s rare criticism coming in for CBS, who are usually heavily praised for their Masters coverage each year.
19th Hole
The surprise club Tommy Fleetwood says is key to his Masters chances
Tommy Fleetwood goes in search for the first major victory of his career again this week, with the Englishman proving to be a popular pick at Augusta National.
Fleetwood’s best showing at Augusta came back in 2024 where he finished T3, and while speaking at his pre-tournament press conference, the 35-year-old emphasized the importance of his 9-wood in his pursuit of the green jacket.
Speaking on Tuesday to media, Fleetwood said:
“It’s a great 9-wood golf course. I think it’s always been — I can’t remember when I first put like a 9-wood in or a high lofted club, but it’s a perfect like 9-wood golf course. I’ve had that in the bag for a few years.”
The Englishman continued, revealing that his strategy for the week won’t just be to hit driver off the tee as much as possible:
“Yeah, it’s funny really because I know Augusta is probably associated with being fairly forgiving off the tee in a way, so you think you can whale around driver a little bit. But I don’t necessarily think that’s always the play for me. I think there’s holes that set up really well where I can draw it with the mini driver if I’m feeling less comfortable with the driver and things like that.”
That strategy he believes will make his TaylorMade Qi10 9-wood extra critical this week in Georgia:
“The biggest thing is the 9-wood for me. If I can put myself in position on the par-5s or the 4th long par-3, like it — for me, I can’t really hit that high 4-iron, so 9-wood helps me a lot.”

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