The last time Amanda Balionis and her CBS crew covered the PGA Tour was during the Genesis Invitational last month. Why haven’t they continued their coverage? Well, that is because the NBC holds the broadcasting rights for events like the Mexico Open, Cognizant Classic, Arnold Palmer Invitational, The Players, Valspar Championship, and the Texas Children’s Houston Open.

While NBC will next work on the Valero Texas Open (April 3-6), CBS is excited to cover the upcoming 2025 Masters at Augusta National (April 10-13). Until then, Balionis is busy spending time with her loved ones and taking care of herself. That’s what her latest Instagram post shows. She wrote:

“Gratitude. For this time in my happy place, for the once strangers that became family, for all of the dogs, all of the nature and for the biggest reminder that nothing has meaning without community, connection and taking the time to take care of ourselves and the ones we love. Hey Georgia? I’m comin for ya.” 

Along with this, she shared a carousel of ten updates (pictures and videos) where she could be seen spending time with her loved ones and relaxing. But it also looks like she is excited about covering the Masters in Georgia. After all, she has been working with CBS since 2017 and helped them cover every Masters since 2018.

In fact, she received a lot of praise for her post-round interview with Dustin Johnson in 2020 when he won the Masters. The golfer, who is usually measured, gave an emotional response when Balionis asked him to talk about what the achievement meant to him. Golf fans loved that she was able to capture his emotions and story with sensitivity.

With the Masters now just 12 days away, Balionis’s message overflows with gratitude as she breaks her broadcasting hiatus. The entire golfing world is eagerly waiting for the tee-off. As this excitement builds, the sports broadcasting world operates on a rhythmic calendar that few outside the industry truly understand. Balionis has mastered this seasonal transition over the years. She covers PGA Tour events during golf season before shifting to NFL sidelines when autumn arrives.

These regular transitions between sports present unique challenges for broadcasters. This adaptability shines through in her memorable interviews. Apart from her interview with Johnson, her conversation with Tiger Woods following Kobe Bryant’s death demonstrated her approach towards sports and coverage.

Now Balionis’s return to Augusta National represents more than just another tournament assignment–it marks another chapter in her remarkable journey through the world of sports broadcasting and will witness Scottie Scheffler’s return to Augusta as the reigning champion.

Amanda Balionis’s journey from sideline reporter to broadcasting star!

Balionis’s path to becoming a beloved golf broadcaster wasn’t always clear. She began by covering high school sports for local channels after graduating from Hofstra University. Her perseverance eventually led to joining the PGA Tour as an in-house reporter in 2011.

This experience immersed her in golf’s distinctive culture and traditions. She later worked for Callaway Golf before landing at CBS Sports in 2017. There, she quickly established herself as an essential part of their broadcasting team. Her authentic enthusiasm resonates with viewers across tournaments. The Masters particularly holds a cherished place in her professional journey.

The 2025 Masters promises expanded coverage for fans. CBS has added five additional broadcast hours across the weekend. This extension gives Balionis more opportunities to create those special moments that have defined her career.

As she prepares for her return to Augusta National, Balionis reminds us about broadcasting’s human element. Behind every microphone stands someone building connections that extend far beyond tournament play. What memorable moments will she capture this year? April can’t come soon enough.