Rory McIlroy opens up to rumored ex Amanda Balionis on support after Masters win… but doesn’t mention wife Erica- master 2025
Rory McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, went conspicuously unmentioned as the Masters champion discussed his current support network with his rumored ex-flame, CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis.
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 on Sunday.
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.
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.
Despite speculation about underlying tension, Amanda Balionis’ interview with Rory McIlroy offered valuable insight as he opened up about the weight of chasing the career Grand Slam, over a decade after his third major win at The Open Championship.
“Every year it doesn’t happen, the pressure just keeps building,” McIlroy admitted.
Ultimately, he described the moment he sank the decisive playoff putt against Justin Rose as nothing short of “pure relief.”
Following his historic win, McIlroy didn’t hesitate to celebrate with his loved ones. His wife, Erica, who has been a strong presence by his side recently—including at TPC Sawgrass where he captured his second Players Championship—was right there to share in the joy.
As just the sixth man to ever complete the career Grand Slam, McIlroy immediately turned to Erica, dressed strikingly in all white with a dramatic hat, and embraced her. Then he dropped to his knees to hug their daughter, Poppy, who was visibly emotional, before lifting her into his arms as tears flowed.
During a heartfelt Green Jacket ceremony, McIlroy paid tribute to those closest to him: “To my left, my family, my team—they’ve been on this journey with me every step of the way. They know the weight I’ve carried coming here year after year, trying over and over.”
Composing himself, he added a special message for his daughter: “To Poppy, never give up on your dreams. Keep coming back. Keep working hard. Never, ever stop chasing them.”
