Rory McIlroy stood on the brink of golf history last Sunday, finally capturing the elusive Masters title to complete the career Grand Slam. The Northern Irishman had every reason to smile, and as he stepped into a post-victory interview with CBS Sports’ Amanda Balionis, fans tuned in for more than just the golf.
Their exchange felt familiar. McIlroy and Balionis share an easy rapport, one that previously sparked romance rumors after a notably friendly interview during the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship. At that time, McIlroy had filed for divorce from wife Erica Stoll, raising eyebrows about his chemistry with Balionis.
Fast forward to Augusta, and McIlroy is not only a Masters champion but also reconciled with Erica, who appeared alongside him and their daughter, Poppy, during the emotional Green Jacket ceremony.
Support System Shout-Out Misses One Name
As Balionis asked McIlroy about the people who helped him get to this moment, he acknowledged longtime friend and caddy Harry Diamond, his parents, and his daughter. Noticeably, he left out any mention of Erica.
“I have had an incredible support system the whole way throughout my life,” McIlroy told CBS. “As an only child, the support I had from my parents… they gave me every opportunity to try to fulfill that potential.”
He continued, “To have Poppy there and to see… I want to make her proud. I want her to be able to experience these things.”
Fans caught the omission quickly. Comments poured in on social media, with one user writing, “What about your wife support?”
While another added, “I’m really surprised you didn’t mention his wife at all?”
Interestingly, later moments showed McIlroy celebrating warmly with Erica and Poppy on the course. Stoll, dressed in white with a wide-brimmed hat, embraced McIlroy as he emerged victorious from a playoff against Justin Rose. He then knelt to hug Poppy, lifting her as tears ran down his face.
During the Green Jacket ceremony, McIlroy acknowledged “my family, my team,” saying they’ve been with him “the whole way through.” Still, the earlier interview left enough ambiguity for speculation to resurface, especially given the timing and McIlroy’s recent personal history.
Whether the interview clip aired in full or omitted certain parts remains unclear, but the silence around Erica during the Balionis segment didn’t go unnoticed. For now, McIlroy walks away with a Masters title, and a story that’s still unfolding off the course.
