Rory McIlroy & Amanda Balionis Spark Relationship Rumors After Warm Embrace Amid Golf Star’s $210 Million Divorce

Professional golfer Rory McIlroy and CBS sports journalist Amanda Balionis have found themselves at the center of a swirling media storm after photographs emerged in which the pair are engaged in a warm embrace just moments after completing a post-tournament television interview.

The embrace occurred on Sunday after the final round of the RBC Canadian Open, where McIlroy shot an impressive 64 to finish as runner-up. As the two finished their on-camera discussion, they were captured sharing a friendly hug, which has fueled speculation about the nature of their relationship.

This latest development comes in the midst of a flurry of relationship changes around the two individuals as just weeks earlier news broke that McIlroy had filed for divorce from his wife of seven years, Erica Stoll. Meanwhile, Balionis has been observed without her wedding ring and has also abandoned her married surname.

McIlroy is reportedly worth over $210 million, though Stoll is believed to have signed a prenup.

Neither McIlroy nor Balionis has directly addressed the rumors, and reports suggest that the pair are not dating and are only friends. However, the public display of affection has inevitably led to heightened interest and speculation from golf fans and media outlets alike.

The embrace occurred just moments after McIlroy had expressed disappointment that his final-round score of 13-under-par would not be enough to secure the tournament victory. In a candid interview with Balionis, the Northern Irishman acknowledged that the win would have been “nice” but commended his friend and Ryder Cup teammate, Bob MacIntyre, for his performance.

The rapport and camaraderie between McIlroy and Balionis was further highlighted when the journalist playfully questioned the golfer about his pairing with Tom Kim, and noted that the young South Korean player seemed to have a “little brother” relationship with everyone. McIlroy’s lighthearted response, in which he joked about feeling “old,” only served to intensify the perception of a close personal bond between the two.