No, the smile still hasn’t been wiped from the face of Rory McIlroy coming off his recent Masters win and completion of the elusive career grand slam.
Speaking with CBS Sports reporter and his own rumored ex-flame, Amanda Balionis, McIlroy was positively gleeful on Saturday at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
‘Trevor Immelman said this is the most relaxed and the happiest he’s maybe ever seen you in your career,’ Balionis said, referring to her CBS colleague and another Masters winner.
‘Why would he say that?’ McIlroy said, interrupting her question with some false modesty.
Balionis followed suit: ‘I don’t know. Did anything happen?’
Even McIlroy’s partner and fellow Zurich Classic defending champion Shane Lowry got in on the joke.
Speaking with CBS Sports reporter and his own rumored ex-flame, Amanda Balionis , McIlroy was positively gleeful alongside partner Sean Lowry on Saturday at the Zurich Classic
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland is congratulated by Shane Lowry of Ireland after a birdie on the 15th green on day three of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in Avondale, Louisiana
‘If he’s not relaxed and happy now, he never will be,’ Lowry said.
Lowry and McIlroy were 11 under on Saturday at TPC Louisiana, where they’re currently tied for fifth.
Some were a bit surprised to see McIlroy playing in New Orleans, but he told Balionis he never considered withdrawing.
‘I said absolutely,’ he said. ‘It’s sort of a perfect way to get back in the swing of things. Being here with my man [Lowry] and trying to defend a title is pretty cool. We have a lot of fun out there and that was obviously a great way to finish.’
Fans couldn’t help but insert some awkwardness into the exchange.
‘Date night?’ one fan asked on X.
‘Amanda and Rory are the best couple ever!!!’ another added.
McIlroy and Balionis have had several interviews in recent weeks, given his win at the Masters.
However, McIlroy ‘s wife, Erica Stoll, went conspicuously unmentioned as the Masters champion discussed his current support network with Balionis in Augusta.
Just 11 months earlier, McIlroy had filed for divorce from Stoll, sparking speculation of a potential romance with Balionis after the pair appeared to enjoy a strong rapport during a flirtatious interview at the Wells Fargo Championship.
However, McIlroy and Stoll have since reconciled and appeared to be every bit the happy couple after he won his first green jacket in Augusta earlier this month.
Neither Balionis nor McIlroy have addressed their rumored romance, which was never confirmed.
But when asked about by Balionis about the support system that helped him win the 2025 Masters, McIlroy mentioned his friend and caddy, Harry Diamond, and his daughter, while Erica’s name was noticeably absent.
‘I have had an incredible support system the whole way throughout my life as an only child, the support that I had from my parents, they saw some potential in me as a golfer, and they give me every opportunity to try to fulfill that potential,’ McIlroy told Balionis.
‘To have Poppy there and to see… you know, I want to make her proud,’ he continued. ‘I want her to be able to experience these things.
‘I said on the on the green, while I was doing the trophy presentation, I hadn’t given up for 17 years. And I think that’s a really good lesson for any young boy or girl that was watching that: Never give up on your dreams and to keep fighting for it. And if you do the work, and you put in the effort, that you can achieve anything, and hopefully, Poppy saw that today.’
The interview shared online may not be the complete segment, so McIlroy may have mentioned Erica in another portion of the discussion, which has yet to be released in full.
CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis was rumored to be involved with McIlroy at one point
In any case, fans were quick to seize upon the awkwardness of the situation.
‘I’m really surprised you didn’t mention his wife at all?’ one fan joked on Instagram.
‘What about your wife support?’ asked another.
Regardless of the rumored tension, Balionis’ interview with McIlroy was revealing as he discussed the pressure of completing the career grand slam 11 years after winning The Open Championship for his third major.
‘Every year that goes by, it doesn’t happen,’ McIlroy said. ‘So all that pressure, all that it builds up.’
In the end, he explained, it felt like ‘pure relief’ when he drained the winning put in a playoff against Justin Rose.
After securing that victory, McIlroy wasted no time in rejoicing with his family. His wife Erica has been a visible supporter in recent months and recently appeared at TPC Sawgrass when he clinched his second Players Championship.
After becoming only the sixth man to complete the career Grand Slam, McIlroy went straight to Stoll, who wowed in an all-white ensemble and dramatic wide-brimmed hat, and pulled her into an embrace.
Scottie Scheffler of the United States puts the Green Jacket on Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland during the Green Jacket Ceremony after the final round of the 2025 Masters Tournament
Rory McIlroy of Northern poses with his wife Erica Stoll and daughter Poppy when he receives his Green Jacket after winning the 2025 Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia
He then knelt down to hug Poppy, who looked overwhelmed by the occasion, before scooping her into his arms as the tears continued to spill over.
During an emotional Green Jacket ceremony, he said: ‘Last but not least, over to my left, my family, my team.
‘They’ve been on this journey with me the whole way through. They know the burden that I’ve carried to come here every year and try and try and try again,’ he continued after recomposing himself.
‘The one thing I would say to my daughter Poppy, never give up on your dreams. Never ever give up on your dreams. Keep coming back. Keep working hard.’
