“I don’t think I’m the girl for this because I get too carried away with emotions.” That’s what Iona Stephen remembers saying to her boss when she first took on her broadcasting role at Sky Sports Golf. “That’s exactly why you are the girl for this,” he replied.
Beyond Par: Iona Stephen interview
That exchange perfectly encapsulates the unique approach Stephen brings to her work, whether she’s on air for Sky Sports or creating content for her own social channel, On the Road with Iona. The ability of this former professional golfer to connect deeply with the emotional rollercoaster of live sports isn’t just a personal trait, it’s become fundamental to her broadcasting style, even if it sometimes presents a personal challenge.
Stephen readily admits that her empathetic nature can lead to intense moments. “We certainly have had a few tears on the channel, and you can really sense the knots in the throat,” she shared. “And I think that I’m, you know, a real empath in my life. So, as soon as someone else is crying, I think, ‘Oh no, I’m going to start crying.’ And you really feel things with them.”
Stephen shared another instance where her emotions almost got the better of her, this time during Rory McIlroy‘s performance at this year’s Masters. She wasn’t covering the 17th and 18th holes on the final day, but she was assigned to holes 15 and 16. “When he made the birdie on 15, hit a great shot into 16,” she said, “I was just thinking, ‘Thank goodness I get to bag out now, because I know I’m going to be teary if he gets this done.'”
Iona Stephen commentating for Sky Sports during the Open Championship at Royal Portrush
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Despite these deeply felt emotions, Stephen emphasises that preparation is her bedrock in high-pressure situations. “Thankfully, there is this sort of blanket that comes over me when I get into these moments,” she explained, recalling her experience of presenting the closing ceremony at the 2021 Ryder Cup.
With her dad and partner watching from the balcony, thousands in attendance, and scorching temperatures, a sense of calm settled over her. “What I often talk about is that preparation is what gives you calmness,” she says. “And if you’re prepared, you can handle these moments. And if you’re underprepared, you know it. And you know there’s nothing more terrifying than being in an environment where you know you just haven’t quite prepared yourself.” Even after long days and walking 36…
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