Amanda Balionis set for Rory McIlroy reunion after wife joins him at tournament

Golf correspondent Amanda Balionis couldn’t contain her excitement as she waved her passport, ready to jet off to North Berwick for the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open. She will be hopping across the pond to cover the final two days of the tournament for CBS Sports, where Rory McIlroy is making his return after his recent time off.

With anticipation, Balionis took to Instagram decked in chic tan Alo leisurewear, clutching her stamped passport, captioning her story, “See ya soon North Berwick,” garnished with a heart emoji. She gave a shoutout to the Genesis Scottish Open, scheduled from July 11 to 14.

Balionis is all set to cover the weekend of the tournament, offering up interviews with top stars and those angling for the win. McIlroy, playing for the first time since his US Open heartache, was cheered on at the course by his wife Erica Stoll on Thursday and will hope he is one of those in with a shot at the championship after the four days of play.

It has been a few weeks since Balionis’ last catch-up with McIlroy during the RBC Canadian Open in June, which came hot on the heels of his headline-dominating split from Stoll the previous month. Gossip about a secret fling between Balionis and McIlroy gained momentum after his marriage breakdown, fueled further by the fact that Balionis, married to ex-NFL quarterback Bryn Renner, was spotted without her wedding ring.

The rumor mill went into overdrive after an interview at the Wells Fargo Championship. Golf fans picked up on their playful exchanges, igniting speculation about a potential love interest.

Amidst the rumors, it emerged that McIlroy was on course to end his relationship with Stoll, having filed for divorce on grounds of an irreparable marriage. But by June, the split had been canceled, forcing McIlroy to confront persistent gossip about his private life.

There have been rumors about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumor is a fool’s game,” he declared. “Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”

Seemingly heading towards mending fences, McIlroy and Stoll presented a united front: she cheered him on at the tournament’s commencement, marking her return to the golf scene since their near-divorce was scrapped.

He wrapped up his first round sharing eighth place, under five. Even though early days at the competition, McIlroy’s initial showing represented a comeback from his intense ride through the 2024 U. S. Open, where he was pipped at the post by Bryson DeChambeau, despite leading until the bitter end.

McIlroy’s putting let him down at key times. A missed par putt on the 16th hole and a short par putt inside 3 feet on the 18th saw him fall out of contention for the title.