Rory McIlroy delivers perfect response after Amanda Balionis snub at the Masters
Amanda Balionis will think twice over her Masters prediction following Rory McIlroy’s heroics at Augusta
Rory McIlroy proved Amanda Balionis wrong on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy’s triumphant defence of his Masters crown was secured despite CBS sports reporter Amanda Balionis predicting he would have no chance of claiming the title. The Northern Irishman became only the fourth player in history to win back-to-back titles at Augusta on Sunday, finishing a single shot ahead of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Before claiming his sixth major title, it had been an underwhelming start to 2026 for McIlroy, who had yet to lift a trophy prior to Sunday. Scheffler’s most recent victory, meanwhile, came in January at the Desert Classic.
Yet the two finest golfers on the planet delivered in stunning fashion in front of a global audience of millions, leaving Balionis to eat her own words after dropping her Masters predictions last week.
Before the tournament got underway last Thursday, Balionis had left both McIlroy and Scheffler out of her 13 potential contenders for the Masters title. The journalist — who returned to Augusta National to cover the event a year on from McIlroy’s maiden victory — made the admission on the Fairway Rollin’ Podcast.
She said: “I have 12 or 13 names, and that doesn’t include Scottie or Rory.” She added: “I don’t think you can just count Bryson (DeChambeau) out. I just think Bryson has such a chip on his shoulder.
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“I think about this moment a lot from last year, when he came into the interview room after he thought he’d pretty much given it away, and he had that disaster on 11.” Not only did McIlroy claim the title, but Balionis’ assessment looked even more misguided after DeChambeau missed the cut.
Struggling to contain his emotions following Sunday’s remarkable scenes, McIlroy paid heartfelt tribute to his family, reserving special words for his wife Erica Stoll. He began: “This is the hard part. I want to say a few thank you’s to the people on my left.
Amanda Balionis didn’t think Rory McIlroy would come close to winning at Augusta(Image: Getty Images)
“First and foremost, my wife and daughter, Erica and Poppy. They have to put up with me at home and, trust me, sometimes that’s a tough thing to do. But they have been my biggest supporters.
“This has definitely turned into Poppy’s favourite week of the year. I don’t know if it’s because of the Par 3 Tournament or it’s the all-you-can eat ice cream in the players’ services building.” Turning his attention to his parents, McIlroy continued: “And also, I want to thank-not thank, jeez. My mom and dad.
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“They weren’t here last year to celebrate with us (last year). Surprisingly, I had to convince them to come this year, because they thought that the reason that I won was because they weren’t here.
“So I’m glad that we proved that wrong. But mom and dad, I owe everything to you. You are the most wonderful parents. If I can be half the parent to Poppy as you were to me, then I know I’ve done a good job.”
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/golf/2193475/amanda-balionis-rory-mcilroy-masters-augusta
