Rory McIlroy hosted the Masters Champions Dinner on Tuesday evening at Augusta National, marking his first time as host after winning the tournament a year ago. Past champions praised the menu and shared stories during the exclusive gathering. McIlroy delivered a heartfelt speech expressing gratitude for joining the club.
Rory McIlroy, fresh off his 2025 Masters victory, welcomed 32 past champions and club chairman Fred Ridley to the annual Champions Dinner on Tuesday evening at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. The menu featured personal touches like bacon-wrapped dates inspired by his mother's favorite dish, yellowfin tuna carpaccio from Le Bernardin in New York City, wagyu steak, and a selection of fine wines including a 2022 Domaine Laflaive Batard-Montrachet Chardonnay. Guests raved about the food: Nick Faldo praised the rock shrimp tempura, Bernhard Langer called the carpaccio terrific, Jordan Spieth described the beef as tender and flavorful, and Scottie Scheffler enjoyed the sticky toffee pudding dessert despite missing the appetizers while chatting in the locker room with Charles Coody. Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player shared stories from Masters history, and the three career Grand Slam winners—Nicklaus, Player, and McIlroy—posed for a photo together, a moment Faldo called really cool. Ben Crenshaw served as emcee and brought one of Ben Hogan's steel-shafted drivers, while Adam Scott spoke unexpectedly about McIlroy's journey, noting how champions watched his 2025 win with anticipation. Tiger Woods was absent due to addiction treatment following a March 27 DUI arrest, and Phil Mickelson tended to a family matter. McIlroy addressed the room emotionally, saying he had thought more about his speech than the food. Jordan Spieth said McIlroy spoke of always wanting to be in that room and how much his victory meant. Bernhard Langer described the remarks as very mature and a little emotional, noting McIlroy's long wait to join the club.
