Unveiling the Masters Dinner: Menu, Guests, and More

For Rory McIlroy, adding to his major wins was the 'final piece of the puzzle.' Now, as he prepares to defend his Masters title, he'll take his place at the head of a special golfing dinner table. The 'Masters Club,' also known as the 'Champions Dinner,' has been an annual tradition since 1952, when Ben Hogan first invited all past Masters champions to dine together before his title defense. This exclusive gathering, held on the Tuesday of Masters week, is only open to past winners of the Green Jacket and the current Masters chairman. As the reigning champion, McIlroy has the privilege of setting the menu for this year's dinner, which will feature a range of dishes and wines, each with its own special significance to him. The menu includes bacon-wrapped dates, inspired by his mother's cooking, and yellowfin tuna carpaccio, a dish from his and his wife's favorite New York restaurant. Other options include wagyu filet mignon, seared salmon, and 'traditional Irish Champ,' a dish McIlroy used to eat as a child. The wine list features a 1990 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, which McIlroy drank the night he won The Masters. This year's dinner will be attended by multiple major winners, including Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson, although Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will be absent. McIlroy is looking forward to sharing the experience with his fellow champions and making the evening special for everyone involved. The cost of hosting the meal, including all drinks, falls to the defending champion, with the average price of McIlroy's wine choices exceeding $1,000 per bottle. Despite the expense, McIlroy is thrilled to be hosting the dinner and is excited to see his fellow champions enjoy the meal he has selected.