Rory McIlroy claimed his sixth major and second consecutive Masters title at Augusta National
Fasika Zelealem Senior Sports Reporter
07:26, 15 Apr 2026
Rory McIlroy and Amanda Balionis(Image: Kieran Cleeves/Augusta National/Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy’s stunning defence of his Masters title was pulled off despite CBS sports reporter Amanda Balionis writing off his chances of lifting the trophy. The Holywood man etched his name in history on Sunday, becoming only the fourth player ever to claim back-to-back Augusta titles, edging out world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler by a solitary shot.
Prior to sealing his sixth major, McIlroy had endured a lacklustre start to 2026, having failed to get his hands on any silverware before Sunday’s triumph. Scheffler, meanwhile, had last tasted victory back in January at the Desert Classic.
Yet the two greatest golfers on the planet rose to the occasion in breathtaking fashion before a worldwide audience of millions, leaving Balionis red-faced after her Masters predictions from last week spectacularly backfired.
Ahead of the tournament’s opening round last Thursday, Balionis had conspicuously left both McIlroy and Scheffler off her list of 13 potential Masters contenders. The broadcaster — returning to Augusta National twelve months on from McIlroy’s maiden victory there — 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, reports the Mirror.
“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.” McIlroy not only secured the title, but Balionis’ prediction appeared even more off the mark when DeChambeau failed to make 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.
“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.
“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.”