Amanda Balionis sent Rory McIlroy a message of congratulations on Monday morning after he became only the fourth player in the history of The Masters to defend his title.
The CBS Sports presenter, who was once romantically linked to the Northern Irishman around the time he filed for divorce from wife Erica, said she would remember McIlroy’s back-to-back victories for a long time.
McIlroy edged Scottie Scheffler by a shot for his second straight green jacket at Augusta National – a course that, for many years, it seemed he would never emerge victorious on.
‘What a week,’ Balionis wrote. ‘Pretty surreal to watch Rory McIlroy battle for 17 years for that first green jacket (and complete the career grand slam) then just 12 months later do it all over again.
‘I‘ll remember this electric moving day for a long time and the storylines we had the privilege of broadcasting from start to finish.’
Balionis, who also worked for Amazon Prime during this year’s tournament, added: ‘A massive thank you to our ENTIRE crew for the tireless hours, endless passion and for simply being the best in the business.
Amanda Balionis has heaped praise on Rory McIlroy after his latest Masters victory
McIlroy celebrates Sunday’s win with his parents, daughter Poppy and his wife Erica
‘This is a true team effort on the biggest stage and I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this team. Until next year Augusta.’
It was, of course, another interview with Balionis in 2024 that fuelled speculation about relations between the golfer and the attractive interviewer, known for her flirtatious on-air style and skill at drawing out often taciturn sportsmen.
When McIlroy failed to mention his wife Erica Stoll – the mother of their daughter, Poppy – during the chat at the Wells Fargo tournament which coincided with US Mother’s Day, onlookers were bemused.
A day later, when he filed for divorce from his wife of seven years, declaring the union ‘irretrievably broken,’ bemusement turned to shock.
Looking for a reason for the unprompted announcement, observers noted the apparent closeness between Balionis and McIlroy during their interview.
Days later the Daily Mail broke the news of an alleged affair between the pair after McIlroy was seen picking up a takeaway in Balionis’s name in San Diego, California, where the presenter has a home.
Neither Balionis nor McIlroy has ever addressed their rumored romance, which was never confirmed.
However, McIlroy and Stoll reconciled not long after and appear to be every bit the happy couple.
McIlroy left Balionis in hysterics in an interview from the range at the Masters on Friday
That was underlined on Sunday afternoon when McIlroy thanked her for her support after he wrote another chapter of golf history.
‘This is the hard part,’ McIlroy said as he addressed his family.
‘First and foremost, my wife and daughter, Erica and Poppy. They have to put up with me at home and, trust me, sometimes that’s a tough thing to do.
‘But they have been my biggest supporters. This has definitely turned into Poppy’s favorite week of the year.
‘I don’t know if it’s because of the Par 3 Tournament or it’s the all-you-can eat ice cream in the players’ services building.’
