Big announcement: Rory McIlroy and CBS sports reporter Amanda Balionis have another big announcement: the golf world is currently in a state of madness and shock…
Last week, the blonde Balionis had the chance to interview the 35-year-old champion after he won the Wells Fargo Championship in Quail Hollow, North Carolina, on Mother’s Day.
This time, the performance only fueled the flames. Balionis, wearing the same blush top as McIlroy’s, giggled, flirted and fangirled throughout the interview.
The chemistry between Rory McIlroy and CBS reporter Amanda Balionis hasn’t sparked romance rumors between the two. “What gear did you need to find to reaffirm your dominance over Quail Hollow?” – asked Balionis.
The 34-year-old peeked through her lashes as McIlroy beamed back. They stood nearby. She revealed the details of her winning streak. She then asked him to tell her, “Physically, how good your game is,” and fans could be forgiven for wondering what kind of “game” the confused reporter was referring to.
Less than 24 hours later, news broke that McIlroy had filed for divorce from his wife of seven years, Erica Stoll, 36. But on May 11, McIlroy looked happy soaking up the obvious rays of adoration as he soaked up the Charlotte sunshine.
Ms. Balionis noted that McIlroy wore pink for Mother’s Day, but said that while McIlroy had asked him to pay tribute to his mother, Rosie, she didn’t suggest he do the same to wax lyrical about Ms. Stoll, the mother of his 3-year-old daughter, Poppy.
So it was Rosie, not Stoll, whom Mcllroy credited as ‘the sort of rock and gel that holds our family together.’
Summing up his mood, Mcllroy told Balionis: ‘It feels like the stars are aligning.’
Certainly, when it comes to his relationship with the longtime CBS golf reporter, their chemistry and ease in each other’s presence is clear.
The flirty banter was evident during the Wells Fargo Championship on Mother’s Day, May 12, when Balionis giggled, flirted, and fangirled her way through her interview with the golfer
Dressed in a blush top that matched with Mellroy’s own, Balionis pointed out that he was wearing his ‘Mother’s Day pink and asked him to pay tribute to his mother, Rosie, but did not mention his now estranged wife and mom of his three-year-old daughter, Poppy
Social media users have taken note of Balionis’s missing wedding ring, and more recently, her coordinating outfits with Mcllroy at the Zurich Classic on April 28 (pictured) and again at the Wells Fargo ChampionshipAnd when set alongside the golfer’s impending divorce and questions over the state of Balionis’s own marriage, fans have been quick to join what some say are obvious dots. Close friends of Mcllroy’s ex-wife said Stoll felt “lonely” in their marriage and that the couple had effectively been living separate lives for the past two years and while
Mcllroy played on the PGA Tour.
According to the source: “She knew what she was getting into with her job, but once they had Poppy, things really changed and she had a new perspective. “Erika was typically absent from most tournaments, completely focused on Poppy!”
And while Stoll was at home caring for their daughter, Balionis was on the course, always ready to personally assess McIlroy and company’s actions.
A source told US Weekly: “The controversial thing about Rory and Erika’s marriage is that Erika was single. The source added that Melroy is a “difficult guy to marry.”
But judging by his broad smile, he’s not a difficult person to be around, at least for Balionis.
McIlroy seems happy to lend his name and support to causes close to Balionis’ heart. He took time off in April due to his busy schedule
In April, he took time out of his busy schedule to film a short video to support Puppies & Golf, a nonprofit founded by Balionis in 2020 that rescues and rehomes rescued dogs and, in some cases, recycles them as service animals for veterans.
The video was filmed at the PGA Zurich Classic in New Orleans, where McIlroy showed his support for Balionis’ mission by petting the adorable mixed-breed dog and saying, “Hi everyone, my name is Rory McIlroy and this is Cuddles.”