Rory McIlroy and Amanda Balionis Spark Romance Rumors Amid Divorce from Erica Stoll

Rory McIlroy and CBS sports journalist Amanda Balionis have stirred romance rumors following McIlroy’s divorce from his wife, Erica Stoll. McIlroy, 35, recently filed for divorce from Stoll, 36, and Balionis, 38, has been seen without her wedding ring since February, abandoning her married name.

The relationship between McIlroy and Balionis has become the talk of the golfing community. Speculation intensified after Balionis interviewed McIlroy post his Wells Fargo Championship win in Quail Hollow, North Carolina, on Mother’s Day. During the interview, Balionis and McIlroy’s matching outfits and flirtatious banter were evident. McIlroy, beaming back at Balionis, seemed at ease, further fueling the rumors.

Fans noted that while Balionis asked McIlroy to pay tribute to his mother, Rosie, she did not mention Stoll, the mother of McIlroy’s three-year-old daughter, Poppy. Instead, McIlroy credited his mother as the “rock and gel” holding their family together, summing up his mood by stating, “It feels like the stars are aligning.”

Balionis and McIlroy’s chemistry was also evident during the Zurich Classic on April 28, where their coordinated outfits did not go unnoticed by fans. Furthermore, McIlroy recorded a promotional video for Balionis’s animal charity, Puppies & Golf, showcasing his support for her mission.

Reports suggest that McIlroy and Stoll’s marriage had been strained for the past two years, with Stoll feeling lonely and focusing on raising Poppy while McIlroy traveled for the PGA tour. According to a source, Stoll’s perspective changed after having Poppy, and she often stayed home while McIlroy played tournaments. In contrast, Balionis was frequently present at these events.

Balionis’s marriage to Bryn Renner, a former college football coach turned tech company account manager, also seems to be in question. The couple, who married in 2022, have not been seen together recently, and Balionis has reverted to using her maiden name on social media. Although neither has filed for divorce, Balionis has been seen without her wedding ring since February.

McIlroy has been spotted around San Diego, where Balionis resides, further adding to the speculation. An eyewitness reported seeing McIlroy picking up a “to go” order under the name “Amanda” in Balionis’s neighborhood.

McIlroy and Stoll began dating in 2014, shortly after his breakup with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. The divorce petition, filed in Palm Beach County, states the marriage is “irretrievably broken” and mentions a prenuptial agreement, although its details remain undisclosed. McIlroy’s attorney, Thomas Sasser, also represented Tiger Woods in his 2010 divorce.

The petition calls for shared custody and a parenting plan for Poppy. Despite his recent personal challenges, McIlroy’s career earnings exceed $87 million, though he did not replicate his past successes at the PGA Championship at Valhalla, finishing tied for 12th.

As McIlroy navigates his divorce, his growing closeness with Balionis continues to intrigue fans and the golfing world alike.