Tony Romo to play in Byron Nelson PGA event

Miami - Former NFL Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will play in this year's Byron Nelson tournament on a sponsors' exemption, organisers of the Dallas event said on Tuesday.

Romo is a member at Trinity Forest, the host course for the tournament which runs from May 9-12. He will keep his amateur status at the PGA event.

Defending champion Aaron Wise, last year's PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, and three-time major champion Jordan Spieth were other early commitments to the tournament.

It will be the second PGA start for Romo, who debuted last March in the the Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic, missing the cut.

"Golf is one of my greatest passions outside my family and football and I am honored to have the opportunity to compete among the pros again," Romo said.

Romo won last year's American Century Championship, a celebrity tournament in Nevada.

"Following his summer successes, the timing feels perfect," Byron Nelson tournament director Jon Drago said. "Romo is a legendary competitor. We look forward to watching him put his talents to test while competing against the best in the game of golf."