Rory McIlroy and CBS reporter spark romance rumors in wake of divorce
Rory McIlroy, the 35-year-old golf champion, and CBS sports journalist Amanda Balionis, 38, have become the center of romance rumors following McIlroy’s divorce from his wife, Erica Stoll. McIlroy recently filed for divorce, ending his seven-year marriage to Stoll, who has been notably absent from his tournaments and public appearances. The speculation about McIlroy and…
Rory McIlroy, the 35-year-old golf champion, and CBS sports journalist Amanda Balionis, 38, have become the center of romance rumors following McIlroy’s divorce from his wife, Erica Stoll. McIlroy recently filed for divorce, ending his seven-year marriage to Stoll, who has been notably absent from his tournaments and public appearances.
The speculation about McIlroy and Balionis’s relationship gained traction after Balionis, who has dropped her married name and has not been seen wearing her wedding ring since February, conducted a flirtatious interview with McIlroy following his victory at the Wells Fargo Championship in Quail Hollow, North Carolina, on Mother’s Day. During the interview, Balionis, dressed in a blush top that matched McIlroy’s attire, shared a moment of chemistry and banter with the golfer, causing fans to wonder about their relationship.
Balionis’s questions and demeanor during the interview were notably personal, focusing on McIlroy’s physical game and avoiding any mention of Stoll, the mother of McIlroy’s three-year-old daughter, Poppy. Instead, McIlroy credited his mother, Rosie, as the “rock and gel” of their family, and expressed a sense of destiny, saying, “It feels like the stars are aligning.”
The pair’s chemistry was also apparent during the Zurich Classic on April 28, where their coordinated outfits did not go unnoticed. Further fueling the rumors, McIlroy recorded a promotional video for Balionis’s animal charity, Puppies & Golf, showing his support for her initiatives.
Friends of Stoll have revealed that she felt lonely in the marriage, particularly after the birth of their daughter, Poppy. Stoll, who stayed home to care for Poppy, reportedly struggled with McIlroy’s demanding travel schedule and his frequent absences due to the PGA tour. This contrasted with Balionis, who was often present at tournaments, able to appreciate McIlroy’s achievements firsthand.
Balionis’s own marriage to Bryn Renner, a former college football coach turned tech company account manager, appears to be in question. The couple, who married in 2022, have not been seen together recently, and Balionis has reverted to her maiden name on social media. Despite rumors, neither has filed for divorce, but the absence of her wedding ring since February has not gone unnoticed.
Adding to the intrigue, McIlroy has been seen spending time in San Diego, where Balionis lives. An eyewitness reported seeing McIlroy picking up a “to go” order under the name “Amanda” in Balionis’s neighborhood, further fueling speculation about their relationship.
McIlroy and Stoll began dating in 2014, months after McIlroy ended his engagement with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. Court documents filed in Palm Beach County state that McIlroy and Stoll’s marriage was “irretrievably broken” and reference a prenuptial agreement, the details of which remain undisclosed. McIlroy’s attorney, Thomas Sasser, also represented Tiger Woods in his high-profile divorce.
The divorce filing calls for shared custody and a parenting plan for Poppy. Despite the personal upheaval, McIlroy continues to perform well professionally, though he fell short of his past successes at the recent PGA Championship at Valhalla, finishing tied for 12th.
As McIlroy navigates his divorce from Stoll, his close relationship with Balionis continues to spark interest and speculation among fans and the golf community. The developments in both McIlroy’s and Balionis’s personal lives remain a topic of widespread discussion, with many wondering about the future of their relationship.