Amanda Balionis, a CBS reporter, recently shared her experience of interviewing Tiger Woods early in her career. She admitted to being extremely nervous and even losing sleep before the interview. Balionis revealed that her legs were shaking uncontrollably during the conversation with the 15-time major winner. Despite her nerves, she managed to conduct the interview successfully. Reflecting on the moment, Balionis expressed her gratitude that the camera angle only focused on her waist up, as it concealed her nervousness.
Balionis, who joined the PGA Tour in 2011 before transitioning to CBS in 2017, also discussed other memorable moments in her broadcasting career during a Q&A with Links Magazine. She mentioned the interview with Dustin Johnson after his victory at the 2020 Masters, where he opened up and showed vulnerability. Another unforgettable experience for Balionis was presiding over the trophy presentation following Phil Mickelson’s win at the 2021 PGA Championship. She described witnessing the historic moment and the overwhelming support from the crowd as Mickelson walked up to the 72nd green.
In addition to her golf coverage, Balionis is preparing for the upcoming NFL season as a sideline reporter for CBS Sports. Despite her golf-related responsibilities, Balionis is passionate about football and is eager to contribute to the NFL broadcasts. She recently bid farewell to the 2024 golf season in an Instagram post, expressing her love for the game and the joy she finds in working in sports. Balionis emphasized the inspiration, drama, and teamwork that sports bring, and she feels privileged to be a part of the team that brings these moments and stories to life for viewers.
The post also included various highlights from the season, including a photo of Rory McIlroy’s victory at the Wells Fargo Championship in May 2024. Balionis addressed baseless rumors about a romantic involvement with McIlroy, clarifying that they were simply colleagues and friends. She expressed her gratitude for being able to share these moments with fans and hoped that they had discovered new favorite players or had memorable experiences while watching the broadcasts.
With the golf season concluded, Balionis is ready to shift her focus to the NFL. She ended her post by stating that she’ll see everyone on the NFL sidelines until the next golf season begins. The anticipation for the NFL season is building, and Balionis is excited to bring her expertise and enthusiasm to the football broadcasts.
