Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo missed the Texas State Open after being arrested in Wisconsin for suspicion of OWI, officials say. His absence was felt as he is a popular fixture, known for engaging with fans.
TYLER, Texas — For years, one of the biggest attractions at the Texas State Open in Tyler has been more than just the competition. Fans have also looked forward to seeing former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and CBS NFL analyst Tony Romo on the course.
This year, however, Romo was absent after withdrawing from the tournament days after he was arrested in Wisconsin on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence (OWI).
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According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, Romo was arrested after deputies said he performed poorly on field sobriety tests during a traffic stop. He was booked and later released. He is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 21.
Mark Harrison, CEO of the Northern Texas PGA, said Romo has become a fixture at the Texas State Open and has built a strong relationship with the Tyler community over the years.
“He loves the golf course. He loves Tyler, the membership here and all the fans that come out and watch him,” Harrison said.
Harrison said Romo’s absence was noticeable, not only because of his popularity but because of the time he spends interacting with fans.
“He’s just so great with the people,” Harrison said. “He’ll stop, throw footballs with people, do as many autographs, take as many photos.”
While the arrest occurred in Wisconsin, attorney Joe Murphy said drivers should understand that the legal process surrounding impaired driving investigations can vary by state.
“There has to be some sort of traffic violation in order to get pulled over,” Murphy said. “If an officer then smells the odor of an alcoholic beverage, they’ll ask that person to get out of the car and perform the standardized field sobriety tests.”
Murphy also encouraged drivers to seek legal advice quickly if they are arrested.
“Although you cannot call your attorney on the side of the road, the best thing people can do is the second they get out of jail, contact an attorney,” Murphy said. “There are certain things that happen very quickly. For example, you have about two weeks to appeal your driver’s license suspension.”
Despite Romo’s absence, Harrison said the tournament remains one of the premier state opens in the country, featuring golfers who could eventually compete on the PGA Tour.
“The M&P Group Texas State Open is one of the largest state opens in the country,” Harrison said. “We had guys shoot 61, 62 and 63 yesterday. They’re great golfers, and we’ll see some of these players on the PGA Tour one day.”
Harrison said tournament officials look forward to welcoming Romo back to Tyler in the future while continuing to showcase top golf talent at the Texas State Open.