Amanda Balionis enjoys memorable birthday as ‘two iconic things’ happen amid Rory McIlroy absence

Golf presenter Amanda Balionis celebrated her 38th birthday at the Travelers Championship in a memorable fashion, marked by two significant events. Balionis took to social media to share her excitement over meeting Lesley Stahl, a renowned journalist who spoke at the tournament’s Women’s Day breakfast. Stahl, known for breaking numerous gender barriers and earning multiple Emmys as a “60 Minutes” correspondent, left a profound impression on Balionis. She wrote, “It took my 38th birthday for two iconic things to happen. 1. I had the honour of meeting and picking the brain of the legendary Lesley Stahl. She is everything. 2. I finally accomplished the thing Cosmo prepared us for every day of our lives as teens: successfully turning a top from day to night.”

The day before, Balionis returned to the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands after a relaxing holiday with friends in the Hamptons. She was welcomed back by Flowers, a dog available for adoption through her non-profit organization, Puppies and Golf. Balionis expressed her gratitude on Instagram for the opportunity to promote her cause at the event’s Fan Zone, noting the warm reception Flowers received from visitors.

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy was notably absent from the Travelers Championship. After a close loss to Bryson DeChambeau at the U.S. Open, McIlroy announced a brief hiatus from golf to recharge. His absence fueled speculation about his personal life, with some fans previously believing he had a flirtatious rapport with Balionis during the RBC Canadian Open. However, McIlroy and his wife Erica Stoll have since resolved their differences and called off their divorce plans.

Reflecting on his recent performance, McIlroy described his loss at the U.S. Open as one of the toughest days in his 17-year career but remained optimistic about his future. He emphasized his resilience and commitment to returning stronger for upcoming tournaments, including the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon in July. McIlroy stated, “I’m going to take a few weeks away from the game to process everything and build myself back up for my defense of the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon. See you in Scotland.”