"If he can survive a 36-hole sectional next month, when his competition will include PGA Tour players, Romo will round out a special foursome."

Karen Crouse did a nice job putting Tony Romo's advancement into U.S. Open sectionals into perspective as it relates to pro athletes attempting to become two-sport stars.

If he can survive a 36-hole sectional next month, when his competition will include PGA Tour players, Romo will round out a special foursome. John Brodie, a San Francisco 49ers quarterback in the 1960s; Sammy Byrd, a Yankees outfielder in the 1930s; and Bill Ezinicki, who finished his N.H.L. career with the Rangers in 1955, are believed to be the only professional athletes from other major sports to have competed in the United States Open.

If it were easier, the tennis players Ivan Lendl and Michael Chang would have done it. So would have the baseball players Mike Schmidt, Johnny Bench and John Smoltz; the football players Dan Marino, Brian Kinchen, Ryan Longwell and Josh Scobee; the hockey player Grant Fuhr; and the basketball player Bill Laimbeer. Over the years, they all tried and failed, Longwell and Scobee, both kickers, posting scores in the 80s in local qualifying rounds this year.