Between early-morning coverage on Mornings at the Masters, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes specials, Balionis was everywhere at Augusta—connecting fans to the heart of the tournament. So, if you caught any of the 2025 Masters coverage on CBS, you know exactly why Amanda Balionis is one of golf’s most recognizable voices.

Whether it was sharing a moment with Justin Rose after his heartbreaking playoff loss or simply soaking in the par-3 contest on Wednesday (her favorite part of Masters week), Amanda was all-in. But after the whirlwind of Augusta, Balionis took a rare personal moment to reflect—and she did it publicly on Instagram. Reposting a reel from actress Lucy Hale about trusting life’s timing and letting go of fear, Balionis added a revealing caption of her own. “this this this,” she emphasized.

“My first lesson in this was in 2016 when I kept hitting road block after road block in my career. A completely new opportunity was offered to me and I finally said, ‘Okay. I’ve done all I can do. It’s time to start over and trust that you did your best and you’re meant for something else.’ …3 months later, while working a marketing job across the country, I was hired by CBS.” That period in 2016 was a turning point.

Balionis had worked tirelessly in local sports reporting and digital golf media, but despite her dedication, she kept running into stalled momentum. Burnt out and unsure of her next move, she left sports media entirely to take a marketing job in San Diego. It felt like walking away, but in hindsight, it was the reset she needed.

When CBS came calling just months later, it wasn’t just luck, it was good preparation meeting opportunity, and her ability to trust that the path forward might look different than expected. “Letting go and letting the process unfold was one of the most valuable lessons that I carry with me still today,” the 38-year-old journalist shared with her followers, resonating with Hale’s insightful views of that “when you surrender yourself to the timing of your life, magic unfolds.”

Now, almost a decade later, Balionis is anchoring major broadcasts and running her own animal rescue nonprofit, Puppies and Golf. She’s fresh off the Masters and was also at the Zurich Classic, but her Instagram Story shows she’s also focused on hopping back on the treadmill and reminding herself (and followers): “Consistency not perfection!” It’s a message that hits home. For Balionis, starting over wasn’t failure—it was growth. That same mindset followed her straight into the next stop on the PGA Tour calendar, where unpredictable weather and production chaos couldn’t shake her calm—or her gratitude.

Amanda Balionis finds balance in chaos at the Zurich Classic 2025

After a wild weekend full of rain delays, power outages, and last-minute drama at the Zurich Classic, Amanda Balionis brought it all back to center with a toast and a smile. The CBS Sports reporter—fresh off a viral Masters moment and juggling interviews in unpredictable New Orleans weather—wrapped the event on a high note, posting a celebratory wine glass selfie in yet another Instagram story with the caption: “Let’s celebrate this moment we’re living. Raise our glasses with happy smiles.”

That closing vibe echoed what many viewers saw during her standout on-course exchange with Rory McIlroy. The two-time Zurich champ shared a genuine moment with Balionis after Trevor Immelman called him the happiest he’s ever been, prompting McIlroy’s partner Shane Lowry to joke, “If he’s not happy now, he never will be.” Despite a disappointing T12 finish, the duo’s chemistry—and Balionis’ ability to draw out authentic reflections—stood out.

Meanwhile, Balionis balanced broadcasting duties with her nonprofit work, as Puppies and Golf made more appearances during the week. Add in her post-tournament fitness check-ins, and it’s clear: even after a chaotic tournament, she’s still focused, grateful, and taking it all in stride. Just another chapter in a season full of momentum for the CBS star.