All you thirsty golf bros out there might want to keep an eye on Amanda Balionis this NFL season because it sounds like those late nights prepping her Tiger Woods interview back in the day took quite a toll! In a hilarious Q&A segment with Links Magazine, our girl Amanda admitted she "lost a lot of sleep" in the lead up to sitting down with Woods years ago at the start of her career.
“Tiger Woods, for sure. When I started with PGATour.com, I think Tiger was my second-ever sit-down interview. 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,” Balionis said.
Now we all know Tiger ain't the most chatty Cathy out there, so you just know Amanda was sweating it coming up with the perfect questions to try and pry some juicy soundbites from the legend. But apparently all that stress was worth it because, get this - she said the camera mercifully stayed above the belt so viewers didn't have to see her legs knocking like a nervous freshman taking the SATs! We can just imagine our girl powering through, making direct eye contact with Tiger Woods while her poor gams were seizing up like me trying to break 80.
It seems like Balionis has had her fair share of can't-miss moments in her career so far. She dished to Links about a couple interviews that really stood out - and I can definitely see why!
Amanda Balionis of CBS Sports interviews Robert MacIntyre after his RBC Canadian Open win. (Amy Lemus/Getty Images)
Amanda Balionis interviews Rory McIlroy. (Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
Scottie Scheffler holding his newborn baby in an emotional interview with Amanda Balionis.
First up, she said chatting with Dustin Johnson after his 2020 Masters W was majorly memorable. We all know Dustin likes to keep things low-key, so for him to get all emotional and vulnerable with Balionis, he must have really trusted her. Get you a reporter who can break down those stone-cold champion walls!
“A couple come to mind,” she said. “The Dustin Johnson interview after he won the 2020 Masters, when he got vulnerable with us. Presiding over the trophy presentation after Phil Mickelson won the 2021 PGA Championship was unbelievable; understanding the historic element and witnessing the crowds ushering him up to the 72nd green. That’s an image I’ll never forget.”
But it seems like 2021 might've topped even that - when Balionis found herself in the middle of history presiding over epic PGA Championship ceremony. Can you imagine witnessing the electricity in the air as one of the all-time greats cemented his legacy before a crowd going absolutely bonkers? I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it. No wonder that image is seared into Balionis's brain - she was right there as sports legend was being made.
But seriously folks, you gotta respect the grind. While the rest of us were no doubt nursing hangovers, Balionis was hitting the books harder than a study-a-holic Ivy Leaguer. And it seems to have paid off because now she's one of the biggest names in the biz, calling shots for CBS.
So next time you're enjoying the sights from the couch on a Sunday, spare a thought for our favorite reporter risking RSI pounding out her scribbles. Get some beauty sleep, Balionis - we need you looking fresh for the impending NFL season!
Read more: Tiger Woods Portrait from 30,000 pieces of wood
As for Tiger, we assume he gave his signature post-round glare and uttered some cryptic two-word answer to get Balionis's nervous energy handled. Hopefully it was enough to satisfy her questioning and prepare her for the many top-tier interviews and athletes that lie ahead.
Balionis is ready to turn the page and shift her focus to some good old fashioned American football! In a super sweet Insta tribute, she reflected on all the unbelievable memories, highs and lows from the 2024 golf season. And girl, same - it really did have it all.
Can't wait to catch Amanda Balionis on the gridiron next month dazzling in her skirt suits while fearlessly chasing down soundbites in the trenches. Stay stylin' and profilin', girl! Thanks for keeping us entertained all season long - we'll be watching and waiting for your golf return.
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