Reflecting on her 2020 Masters interview with Dustin Johnson, Amanda Balionis recalled an emotional moment during a time when COVID-19 was affecting and nearly transforming lives forever.

Whipped coffee, TikTok dances, and slime took over the internet in 2020. Golf was booming thanks to the six-foot rule outdoors, and the sport transcended into what it's become today and beyond.

The Masters 2020 didn’t have a single patron in attendance, and none were allowed thanks to the global pandemic. But it still happened, as Johnson earned the title, and the 2020 Open Championship was canceled while no fans were allowed at the other two majors.

Balionis told Skratch that it was the most emotional interview she's ever conducted, and the one she was most proud of.

“Probably Dustin Johnson at The Masters in 2020. There are a lot and so many moments that I am honored and privileged to be part of,” said Balionis.

“But it was such a heavy time for everyone. It was during COVID, and there were no patrons there. I was doing an interview that had never been done before.

"I asked the question that got to the core of who he really is, and then said nothing while he processed and let the emotions take over.

“I don’t think we ever see him emotional, and that showed how much it meant to him. I remind myself of that moment so often when I start to see a player get emotional. It creates a much bigger moment than anything I can say.”

Johnson captured the 2020 Masters victory with a 20-under-par 268, setting a new tournament scoring record and finishing five strokes ahead of runners-up Sungjae Im and Cameron Smith. Beyond his historic win, he has earned five additional top-12 finishes at Augusta National, highlighted by a runner-up performance behind Tiger Woods in 2019.

It wasn't the only emotional interview Balionis has conducted, as she allowed for Chris Gotterup to tear up at the Waste Management Phoenix Open when he earned his second title of the 2026 season.

“You know, a lot of hard work,” Gotterup told Balionis after his win at TPC Scottsdale.

“You make me cry every time. There are just so many people that believe in me, and to be able to share it with them, I won't be able to get through it. It's just so much fun.”

Gotterup secured the win by making a birdie putt on the 18th after Hideki Matsuyama’s second shot found the water.