Amanda Balionis will return to hosting duties for golf as Rory McIlroy takes a break from the sport.
While Rory McIlroy battled Bryson DeChambeau for the US Open title, CBS Sports presenter Amanda treated herself to a beach trip in the Hamptons with her mates, sharing snaps of her escapades on social media.
Taking a breather from the greens of golf, Amanda indulged in some friend time, adorning Instagram with bikini pictures and shots of her seaside shenanigans before hopping back into her work week.
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As she celebrated her recent birthday, Amanda posted about her dog-friendly frolics at the Traveler’s Championship’s Fan Zone – the season’s final large PGA Tour event – saying: “A massive thanks to @travelerschamp for having @puppiesandgolf in their Fan Zone today,” reports the Mirror.
Rumours were flying between Amanda and McIlroy during his short-lived separation from wife Erica Stoll, yet both have set aside any talk of splits. Freshly back from her break, Amanda recently shared an Instagram snap donning a denim jacket etched with the words: “It’s all good, baby, baby.”
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(Image: Getty Images)
The whispers started when Amanda interviewed McIlroy following his success at the Wells Fargo Championship, where their congenial exchange seemed a little too familiar to some.
Amanda was also noticeably lacking her wedding ring adding more fuel to the gossip flames.
But all talk of them being an item fizzled out when McIlroy reunited with his partner, Erica Stoll. Adding drama to the narrative, McIlroy’s game hit the skids during the US Open, leaving room for Bryson DeChambeau to snatch his second major title.
(Image: Sky Sports)
McIlroy has now headed to Florida to rest and recuperate.
Withdrawing from the pending Traveler’s Championship, McIlroy plans a comeback just ahead of The Open, set to take place at Royal Troon in the coming month.
With heartfelt honesty, McIlroy expressed his feelings: “Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I’ve had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer,” he posted on social media on Monday.
(Image: PGA TOUR)
“Firstly, I’d like to congratulate Bryson. He is a worthy champion and exactly what professional golf needs right now. I think we can all agree on that.
“As I reflect on my week, I’ll rue a few things over the course of the tournament, mostly, the 2 missed putts on 16 and 18 on the final day. But, as I always try to do, I’ll look at the positives of the week that far outweigh the negatives.
As I said at the start of the tournament, I feel closer to winning my next major championship than I ever have.
(Image: Getty Images)
“The one word that I would describe my career as is resilient. I’ve shown my resilience over and over again in the last 17 years and I will again.
“I’m going to take a few weeks away from the game to process everything and build myself back up for my defence of the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon. See you in Scotland.”