All eyes (okay, some eyes) in the golf world will focus in on the Dominican Republic this Thursday, where Tony Romo is making his PGA Tour debut at the Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship. Romo’s first crack at golf’s top circuit also implies golf bettors’ first shot at Romo, and at least one site, BetDSI, already has some prop bets on how he’ll fare. Romo will be playing as an amateur, so he won’t be able to win money, but you likely have no such restrictions at home!
Even better news: GOLF.com has gifted me 1,000 imaginary dollars to spread across Romo’s plays this week. Relying on base intuition and a touch of research, I’ve dug in my heels and put together your comprehensive guide to Romo’s week. I suggest you play along with imaginary dollars of your own. Here goes:
1. Tony Romo makes cut
Yes +1500
No -3000
The take: Tony Romo was (and likely still is) very good at professional football. That does not mean he is going to be good at professional golf. I’d consider betting all $1000 on “No” here, but that doesn’t seem particularly fun.
The play: $0 to win $0. If you want to toss cash to the house so you can root for Romo to make the cut, feel free, but I can’t endorse it. That’s your hard-earned money!
2. Tony Romo’s score on Hole No. 1 during first round
Birdie +275
Par -160
Bogey or worse +210
The take: Until tee times are released, we won’t know if Romo is off No. 1, a 433-yard par 4 with water down the right that played as the 10th-hardest hole at last year’s Web.com event held on the same course. He may fare better if he goes off No. 10 to start and catches No. 1 in the middle of his round. Our most recent sample from competitive Romo suggests he may not be a hot starter: at a North Texas mini-tour event he started bogey-quintuple bogey before settling into the round.
The play: $100 to win $210 on Bogey or worse. First tee jitters? At this price, it seems worth it to take the chance.
3. Tony Romo highest score in any round
Over 80.5 (-115)
Under 80.5 (-115)
The take: For Web.com tour pros, this was a very easy course the last two years. Last year’s cut was five under par, while in 2016 it was even tougher at 6 under. Nate Lashley shot 20 under to win in 2017, while Dom Bozzelli shot 24 under in 2016. In 2016, nobody in the entire field shot worse than 78; last year was tougher as two rounds were recorded in the 80s. I think it will be set up tougher this year, but still — Romo is a heck of a competitor. I think he battles it out and breaks 80 both days, like Steph Curry before him.
The play: $100 to win $86.96 on Under 80.5
4. Tony Romo lowest score in any round
Over 75.5 (-115)
Under 75.5 (-115)
The take: Can Romo match either of Curry’s 74s from last year’s Ellie Mae Classic? The Puntacana Resort is a par 72, which means this requires Romo to shoot three over or better. I think he does it, barely, with a 75 in the first round. The forecast is relatively mild for Thursday, and if he can get off to a reasonable start, there are clearly some low scores waiting out there.
The play: $100 to win $86.96 on Under 75.5.
5. Tony Romo highest score on any hole
Over 7 (-115)
Under 7 (-115)
The take: Romo will, at some point Thursday or Friday, make at least a 7, earning a push on this prop. Will he make an 8? It’s worth a shot, especially if you enjoy rooting against this sort of sponsor exemption.
The play: $50 to win $43.48 on Over 8
6. Tony Romo lowest score on any hole
Over 2.5 (-130)
Under 2.5 (+100)
The take: He’s got eight chances over two days to make a birdie on some meaty par 3s. No. 2 played at 239 yards last year; No. 11 played to 265. Even with No. 9 (204 yards) and No. 17 (214) a little more reasonable, I don’t see any deuces on the card.
The play: $150 to win $115.35 on Over 2.5.
7. Total birdies by Tony Romo
Over 9.5 (-115)
Under 9.5 (-115)
The take: Something seems wrong here. Assuming he misses the cut, Romo would have to make 10 birdies over two days. Ten birdies?! Get outta here.
The play: $400 to win $347.83 on Under 9.5 birdies. Tempted to go all in here — I feel like a Romo optimist, but this is an outlandish number.
8. Total bogeys or worse by Tony Romo
Over 11 (-115)
Under 11 (-115)
The take: If Romo has one clean round with say, two bogeys and a double, this number will be tough to get to. I see Romo making quite a few pars and staying just under this number.
The play: $100 to win $86.96 on Under 11 bogeys or worse. Plus, this is the fun side to root for!
The prediction: Romo shoots 75-79. Feel free to Venmo me a share of your winnings.
