Amanda Balionis absence from Masters TV coverage | Golf News

The Masters has lastly kicked off after weeks of anticipation, however followers have rapidly observed a important absence from their TV screens over the primary two days – CBS star Amanda Balionis.

The beloved sportscaster was formally slated to be half of the community’s main broadcast crew at Augusta this week, however she hasn’t made an look in entrance of the cameras for the reason that match started on Thursday.

The Masters holds explicit significance because it marks Balionis’ official return to reporting duties, with CBS resuming its coverage of the top-tier tournaments on the 2025 golf calendar.

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy is back within the working at Augusta following a shaky begin on Thursday. He wrapped up Friday’s spherical six-under-par after capturing a 67, a marked enchancment from his rating of 72 the day prior to this.

Balionis and her crew, who share PGA Tour broadcasting rights with NBC, have been sidelined for the final seven occasions, together with the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship. This signifies that Balionis hasn’t graced our screens for the reason that last day of the Genesis Invitational on February 16.

So, after almost two months out of the limelight, followers had been eagerly anticipating seeing the esteemed sportscaster back in her aspect on the Masters this week. However, they will have to attend a tad longer, as ESPN at present holds the coverage rights for the motion at Augusta on Thursday and Friday.

This implies that Balionis, alongside along with her CBS colleagues, will not be gracing the tv screens till the weekend when the community takes over broadcasting rights for the motion at Augusta on Saturday and Sunday.

While followers must wait a bit longer to see the CBS star back on air, she is assured to be within the highlight for essentially the most crucial stretch of the match, particularly during what guarantees to be an electrifying last day on Sunday.

Joining Balionis out on the course for the weekend’s coverage at Augusta shall be Frank Nobilo, Ian Baker-Finch, Andrew Catalon, and Dottie Pepper. These seasoned professionals will accompany host Jim Nantz, who’s anchoring the community’s Masters broadcast for his thirty seventh 12 months, and lead analyst Trevor Immelman, as half of CBS’s main broadcast crew.

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Balionis appears more than ready for her return, having expressed on Instagram final month her anticipation for the Masters, saying she was “coming for” the revered match as she will get able to rejoin the PGA Tour.

Moreover, The Masters is set to offer followers with prolonged coverage, with CBS being awarded an extra 5 hours of broadcast time over the weekend. This beneficiant allotment acts as a welcomed gesture upon their return to the occasion.

This further time not solely provides Balionis elevated visibility but additionally enhances her possibilities for memorable moments in her broadcasting profession, which she is anticipated to embrace absolutely.

Following the Masters, CBS is set to broadcast each single PGA Tour occasion main up to the U.S. Open scheduled for June 12-15. This signifies a busy period forward for Balionis and her crew as they gear up to cowl 9 consecutive tournaments.

The lineup contains the RBC Heritage, Truist Championship, and Memorial Tournament, three of the PGA Tour’s marquee occasions, together with the PGA Championship in May.