Amanda Balionis’ surprise pick to win U.S. Open with Rory McIlroy snubbed

CBS Sports’ Amanda Balionis reflected on an eventful week and dramatic finish at the Canadian Open

Amanda Balions has looked beyond Rory McIlroy as her pick to win the U.S. Open(Image: Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Amanda Balionis has her eyes set on Sam Burns to clinch the U.S. Open title this week after his nail-biting playoff loss at the Canadian Open on Sunday.

Burns wowed with a stellar eight-under-par 62 that catapulted him into the clubhouse lead at TPC Toronto, only for New Zealand’s Ryan Fox to catch up with a birdie at the final hole, tying Burns at 18-under-par and triggering a playoff.

The duo remained neck and neck until the fourth extra hole, where Fox delivered a jaw-dropping shot to the par-five 18th, securing a winning birdie. , following his victory at the Myrtle Beach Classic four weeks prior.

Despite over two years since his fifth PGA Tour win, Burns’ recent performance suggests he’s still a force to be reckoned with, even if Sunday’s close call—missing a birdie putt on the first playoff hole—might leave a bitter taste for some time.

Yet, CBS Sports’ Balionis, who caught up with Fox post-victory, is betting against top picks such as Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy for the U.S. Open. She’s backing 28-year-old Burns as a prime candidate to triumph at Oakmont, where the action begins Thursday.

Reflecting on her experience in Canada, Balionis took to Instagram, posting: “Canada? You never disappoint. Today was another memorable final round with a very worthy champion.”

Burns came up short in a dramatic playoff in Canada(Image: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

Golf fans were treated to a spectacular showdown as Ryan Fox and Sam Burns went head-to-head in four playoff holes amid massive throngs of spectators who stuck around until the bitter end to see a champion emerge.

“Fox will tell you it took him longer than expected to settle in here on the PGA Tour, but after a dramatic win a month ago, the Kiwi is playing free and is now a multiple-time winner.

“Sam Burns is playing out of his mind right now. Once again, the LSU talent put himself in the mix, and if I’m you, I’m snagging him early for any U.S. Open pools you might be in.”

Currently holding the 22nd spot in world rankings, Burns has seen a consistent if not dazzling first half of the season on the PGA Tour, stringing together an impressive run with seven consecutive cuts made.

After clinching a runner-up finish at Sunday’s event in Canada, Burns has marked his second top-five position during this period, matching his previous fifth-place tie at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson last month.

Despite recent improvements witnessed in Burns’ play, Balionis’ opinion appears to defy conventional wisdom. With only one top-10 to his name out of 20 majors and just a T9 at last year’s U.S. Open, held at Pinehurst No. 2, the erstwhile Ryder Cup member has generally found the going tough at major tournaments.

Balionis is set to take a break from the U.S. Open coverage, as NBC has the broadcast rights for the event. She’ll be back on air next week at TPC River Highlands for the Travelers Championship in Connecticut.

Wrapping up her stint in Toronto, she concluded: “We had The Rink, we had the cutest kids visit us on set, we had the New Zealand national futbol team living and dying by every Ryan Fox shot. We had an incredible national open. It’s time for a week off. In my best Mike Wilbon voice, ‘Goodnight Canada!’”/