Rory McIlroy's flirty exchange with CBS siren Amanda Balionis days after his divorce infuriates internet

QUAIL HOLLOW, NORTH CAROLINA: Amanda Balionis and Rory McIlroy have sparked rumors of a romantic relationship after a flirtatious exchange during an interview with the CBS golf reporter caused a stir among fans.

The speculation intensified after McIlroy was seen without his wedding ring since February. the DailyMail reports. 

Amanda Balionis and Rory McIlroy spark dating rumors after flirty interview

The blond reporter had been assigned to interview Rory Mcilroy, 35 after he won the Wells Fargo at Quail Hollow in North Carolina on Mother’s Day.

Her demeanor during the interview only added fuel to the speculation. Clad in a blush top that matched with McIlroy's ensemble, Balionis emanated laughter, playful banter, and evident admiration throughout the interaction.

Balionis posed questions while casting glances, while McIlroy responded with a beaming smile. They stood close to each other as she skillfully extracted details about his recent string of wins. "What gear did you have to find to assert your dominance once more over Quail Hollow?” Balionis asked. 

Balionis went on to ask, "Physically how good your game feels," leaving fans to ponder the true meaning behind the coy exchange. Days after the interview, news surfaced that Rory McIlroy had initiated divorce proceedings from his wife of seven years, Erica Stoll, 36.

However, McIlroy seemed to revel in the adoration surrounding him. Balionis pointed out McIlroy's attire, dubbed 'Mother's Day' pink, and invited him to pay homage to his mother, Rosie.

Mcllroy completely ignored his ex-wife Erica Stoll, the mother of his three-year-old daughter, Poppy and only acknowledged his mom as "rock and gel that holds our family together."

McIlroy also told Balionis "It feels like the stars are aligning." The rumored couple's chemistry and comfort in each other's presence was palpable.

Rory McIlroy's estranged wife Erica Stoll felt 'isolated' during the marriage

Friends close to McIlroy's estranged wife have disclosed that Stoll felt "isolated" within their marriage, with the couple effectively leading separate lives over the past two years, particularly while McIlroy was on the PGA tour.

According to insiders, “She knew what she was getting into with his profession, but once they had Poppy, things really changed, and she had a new perspective. Erica was usually absent for most of his tournaments and was really focused on Poppy.”

While Stoll remained at home to nurture their daughter, Balionis was frequently seen on the golf courses, consistently present to witness McIlroy and his colleagues in action firsthand. An insider claimed, “A point of contention in Rory's marriage with Erica was that Erica was lonely in their marriage.”

The source further dished, McIlroy is "a hard person to be married to.." According to McIlroy is happy to support causes important to Balionis. In April, he took time out of his busy schedule to make a short video supporting Puppies & Golf. This non-profit was founded by Balionis in 2020 and helps rescue dogs. Sometimes, these dogs are trained to become support animals for veterans.

The video was filmed at the PGA Zurich Classic in New Orleans. McIlroy showed his support for Balionis’s work by petting an adorable crossbreed dog. He introduced the dog, named Cuddles, and said, "Hi everyone I’m Rory McIlroy and this is Cuddles. Cuddles is waiting to be adopted and find her forever home. So, if you feel so inclined, if you want to adopt her click the link and you’ll know where to find her.’’

Internet notices Amanda Balionis without her wedding ring

Recently, fans have been curious about the status of Balionis's two-year marriage to Bryn Renner, a college football coach turned tech company account manager.

Balionis got engaged in 2021 and married in 2022. However, in recent appearances, she has been spotted without her wedding ring, and her social media presence stopped showing the sparkler in February. 

Although neither Balionis nor Renner have officially filed for divorce, there have been rumors online. Balionis even changed her username from her married name, Balionis Renner, back to her maiden name.

There have been no recent sightings of Balionis with her wedding ring or her husband. Instead, there have been sightings of McIlroy spending time in San Diego, particularly in the Crown Point neighborhood of Pacific Beach, where Balionis lives. 

McIlroy recently picked up food from a restaurant under the name 'Amanda,' paid in cash, and left quickly.  Neither McIlroy nor Stoll has publicly commented on their split, except for an official statement on May 14 confirming the filing. 

Court documents filed in Palm Beach County state that the marriage was "irretrievably broken" and mention a prenuptial agreement, the details of which are undisclosed. McIlroy's attorney is Thomas Sasser, who represented Tiger Woods in his 2010 divorce. 

The filing also requests shared custody and a parenting plan for their daughter, Poppy. Despite his past success, McIlroy failed to win the PGA Championship at Valhalla last weekend, finishing tied for 12th place.

Internet slams Rory McIlroy as rumors of new romance surface just days after divorce

After witnessing Rory McIlroy's interview with Amanda amid his divorce, many internet users have shared their perspectives on the romance rumors on Facebook.

One said, "The matching colored outfits don’t lie." 

The second said, "This is so immature has anybody given any thought to Poppy? She’s only three think of the changes to her life … sad very sad ….divorce changes everything…" The third said, "Selfish people ruining lives!! Frankly, I don't like either one, but, I hope this isn't true."

The fourth said, "They’re made for each other. Both are bumbling idiots." The last said, "That would be shame"

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online