Amanda Balionis was means off the mark as Rory McIlroy went back-to-back on the Masters.
Rory McIlroy proved Amanda Balionis improper on the Masters following her stunning prediction (Picture: Getty) This text incorporates affiliate hyperlinks, we are going to obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Be taught extra
Rory McIlroy’s profitable defence of his Masters title was clinched regardless of Amanda Balionis predicting he would not be near profitable the foremost. The Northern Irishman turned solely the fourth participant ever to win back-to-back titles at Augusta on Sunday after ending one shot forward of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Previous to capturing his sixth main title, it had been a sluggish begin to 2026 for McIlroy, who hadn’t received a title to date this yr whereas Scheffler’s final match win had are available in January on the Desert Traditional. However the two finest golfers on the planet have been at prime kind in entrance of tens of millions of viewers.
A lot may have been surprised by McIlroy profitable consecutive main titles for the primary time in 12 years – together with CBS Sports activities reporter Amanda Balionis. Earlier than the match bought up and operating final Thursday, Balionis omitted McIlroy and Scheffler from her 13 attainable contenders to win the Masters.
The journalist – who returned to Augusta Nationwide to cowl the occasion a yr after McIlroy’s maiden win – made the stunning admission on the Fairway Rollin’ Podcast, the place she stated: “I’ve 12 or 13 names, and that does not embrace Scottie or Rory.” She added: “I do not suppose you possibly can simply rely Bryson [DeChambeau] out.
“I simply suppose Bryson has such a chip on his shoulder. I take into consideration this second rather a lot from final yr, when he got here into the interview room after he thought he’d just about given it away, and he had that catastrophe on 11.” On prime of McIlroy incomes the victory, Balionis’ take aged even worse after DeChambeau missed the reduce.
Trying to maintain his feelings in verify after Sunday’s heroics, McIlroy paid tribute to his household, together with a particular tribute for his spouse Erica Stoll. He started: “That is the laborious half. I wish to say a number of thanks’s to the individuals on my left. Before everything, my spouse and daughter, Erica and Poppy. They should put up with me at residence and, belief me, typically that’s a troublesome factor to do. However they’ve been my greatest supporters.
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“This has undoubtedly changed into Poppy’s favorite week of the yr. I don’t know if it’s due to the Par 3 Event or it’s the all-you-can-eat ice cream within the gamers’ providers constructing.” Directing his consideration to his dad and mom, McIlroy then stated: “And likewise, I wish to thank—not thank, jeez. My mum and pop.
“They weren’t right here final yr to have a good time with us [last year]. Surprisingly, I needed to persuade them to return this yr, as a result of they thought that the explanation that I received was as a result of they weren’t right here. So I am glad that we proved that improper. However mum and pop, I owe all the things to you. You’re the most great dad and mom. If I will be half the mother or father to Poppy as you have been to me, then I do know I’ve accomplished a superb job.”
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