Golf Reporter Amanda Balionis Announces Return After 6 Months Break From PGA Tour Job

Tiger Woods. That was the most difficult interview for Amanda Balionis, who joined CBS Sports in 2017. “I’m very thankful the camera angle was from the waist up; my legs were shaking uncontrollably from nervousness. I lost a lot of sleep before that interview,” she shared in August 2024. That same month, the Golf on CBS season was wrapped up, and the reporter shifted to the NFL sidelines.

In fact, it looked like she was having a blast covering the NFL. On September 15, she wrote, “8th season covering the @nfloncbs and it just keeps getting better. Congratulations to the Chargers for getting it to 2-0 for the first time since 2012 and to @jk.dobbins2 for officially being in his renaissance era! The running back, who has fought through years of adversity and injuries, becomes the first player in Chargers history to rush for 100-yards in back-to-back games to the start the season.”

Since then, her fans have seen her cover a lot of football. It is time to get back to golf? Yes, it is!

The CBS Sports reporter shared the thrilling news on Instagram. In her new Instagram story, she shared a picture of the NFL game she was watching on a TV with her work laptop in front of a hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. She captioned the picture: “How is week 18 here already?! This season has flown by. One more game then it’s back to golf we go!”

Her admirers were moved by this heartfelt affirmation and have been eagerly awaiting her return.

Clearly, she is all charged to get back to reporting golf. After all, the previous Golf in CBS season was a great one. As per her own confession in Aug. 2024: “This year had it all. From historic moments to heart-shattering events and every other emotion, you can imagine in between. I love this game. I love working in sports. Competing at the highest level requires and produces constant examples of inspiration, drama, unbridled joy, resilience, growth, and teamwork.” 

In addition to her career pursuits, Balionis is well-known for her charitable activities, especially her non-profit organization, Puppies and Golf, which assists military veterans in finding rescue canines. 

Considered one of the more seasoned American golf reporters, Balionis was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on June 20, 1985, and has carved out a prosperous career for herself in a sector that is dominated by men. She started her career in college and graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism from Hofstra University.

Her ability to switch from the PGA Tour greens to the NFL football field with ease highlighted her versatility as a sports reporter. As we celebrate her return to cover golf, let’s take a look at how Balionis’s journey with CBS began.

Amanda Balionis’s experience with major golf coverage networks and CBS

Since 2017, Amanda Balionis has assisted in covering every Masters tournament for CBS Sports. Before joining CBS, Balionis worked as a reporter for the PGA Tour. She also worked with Callaway Golf, where she produced online content for the media production division of the golf production team. 

One of her most notable interviews was with Tiger Woods, which she characterized as both nerve-racking and crucial to her professional success. Looking back on the encounter, Balionis said it left her “with legs shaking” and made her “lose a lot of sleep,” underscoring the pleasures and challenges of reporting on notable athletes.

In addition, Balionis has been there for iconic golf events, like interviewing Dustin Johnson following his victory at the 2020 Masters and hosting the trophy presentation following Phil Mickelson’s victory at the 2021 PGA Championship.

Interesting Fact: Amanda Balionis has featured in both seasons of Netflix’s golf docu-series, ‘Full Swing’.

Add to it the fact that very few are aware that Amanda Bolionis has also tried her hand at golf, which tells us more about why she loves the sport so much. “I played junior golf for a few years; my parents loved playing with me, but the minute I had to carry my own bag and walk nine holes by myself, I was like, ‘Eh, you know what, I’m going to go join the swim team,” she once explained. Hence, her expected return to golf reporting is eagerly awaited.

Are you excited too about Balionis’ return? Do let us know your views in the comment box below!