Amanda Balionis eats her own words after Rory McIlroy snub at Masters | Golf | Sport

Prior to capturing his sixth major title, it had been a slow start to 2026 for McIlroy, who hadn’t won a title so far this year while Scheffler’s last tournament win had come in January at the Desert Classic. But the two best golfers in the world were at top form in front of millions of viewers.

The journalist – who returned to Augusta National to cover the event a year after McIlroy’s maiden win – made the shocking admission on the Fairway Rollin’ Podcast, where 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. 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.” On top of McIlroy earning the victory, Balionis’ take aged even worse after DeChambeau missed the cut.

Attempting to keep his emotions in check after Sunday’s heroics, McIlroy paid tribute to his family, including a special tribute 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. 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.” Directing his attention to his parents, McIlroy then said: “And also, I want to thank—not thank, jeez. My mum and dad.

“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 mum 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.”