The top 22 and ties advanced to the second stage, and Romo never seriously contended after an opening 79 put him far back in the field. He steadied himself with rounds of 73-73-72 for a 297 (+13) total.
“Each day I got better and my swing got tighter,” said Romo to Preston Smith of PGATour.com. “It’s a tight golf course and if you miss a couple spots here and there you can put up a big number. I think three holes were our whole week in a nutshell. But a 72 today, getting closer.”
“I just think the direction I'm going, its positive,” said Romo. “You know I'm excited about the improvement that's taking place over the last four or five months. It’s safe to say that you’ll see me again (out here).”
Three amateurs were among the 24 players who advance to the second stage. Andy Zhang of China and the University of Florida, the current #7 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com World Amateur Ranking, was the low amateur with a tie for 4th at 16-under 268.
Alvaro Ortiz of Mexico and the University of Arkansas finished tied for 8th at 15-under 269, while World #6 and former U.S. Junior champion Min Woo Lee of Australia made it on the number at 11-under 273.
The winner of the tournament was former TCU player Franklin Corpening, who closed with a 65 to win by one shot at 20 under.
