Amanda Balionis recalled the touching piece of advice that Rory McIlroy gave to a young fan who turned out to be Noah Kent – his practice round partner at The Masters.

 

Amanda Balionis shared a touching story involving Rory McIlroy on social media

 

CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis shed light on the touching gesture that Rory McIlroy once made for a young fan who’s now his peer.

Taking to social media earlier this week, Balionis, returning to TV screens for golf coverage this week at Augusta, shared what she described as “one of my favorite stories” from a brief interaction between McIlroy and Noah Kent. Back in 2017, the Northern Irishman – who’s looking to claim his first Green Jacket this weekend – crossed paths with the amateur golfer, only 13 years old at the time, at Erin Hills.

 

After missing the cut at the 2017 US Open, McIlroy managed to subdue his disappointment and make time for Kent – speaking with the boy for five minutes at the course that his stepfather, Dana Fry, helped design.

Prior to their conversation, Kent’s heart was set on continuing to play hockey. Yet after receiving a sound piece of advice from one of his idols, the youngster dropped everything and began heavily pursuing a career in golf.

 

“I was a hockey player at the time and I kind of just looked up to Rory and I was just like ‘How do you hit it so far like you’re not that tall,’” Kent told Balionis. “He kind of just pointed at the ground, he’s like ‘It’s all on the legs.’”

 

Fast forward eight years to Augusta National, where Kent and McIlroy shared another chance encounter – this time playing a practice round together ahead of The Masters. The significance of their previous interaction was not lost on Balionis, who emphasized just how great of an impact star athletes can have on their fans.

 

“I think it’s worth noting that five minutes might not seem like a whole lot to these athletes out here, but it can really change a kid’s life,” she said. Kent expressed a similar sentiment, replying: “It just means so much that he would even spend time with me.

“He doesn’t know who I am, I’m just a 13-year-old kid out there just watching and supporting, so it just means the world.”

 

McIlroy, meanwhile, struggled to hide his surprise upon learning just how much he influenced Kent at a young age. According to Golfweek’s Adam Schupak, the 35-year-old sent the Naples, Florida native a signed Nike shirt – which is still hanging in Kent’s room to this day – one week after their 2017 meetup.

 

“I never thought eight years later that we’d be playing a practice round at Augusta National. It just goes to show to never take these little encounters with kids for granted, because you never know what can happen,” McIlroy told Balionis.

 

“It’s amazing to see him play so well, to get here, to get in this field this week. Obviously looking forward to going out there and experiencing it with him today.”