Rory McIlroy, the 2025 Masters champion from Northern Ireland, has selected the menu for the 2026 Masters Champions Dinner.[1][2] The event, a tradition at Augusta National Golf Club since 1952, is held on the Tuesday evening before the tournament and is attended exclusively by past Masters winners.[3]
The Masters' official social media accounts released details of the menu on Wednesday.[4] Appetizers include rock shrimp tempura, peach and ricotta flatbread, bacon-wrapped dates and grilled elk sliders with caramelized onion jam and roasted garlic aioli.
The first course is yellowfin tuna carpaccio, inspired by Le Bernardin restaurant in New York City, according to McIlroy in an interview with the Irish Independent.[5] He told the outlet that the bacon-wrapped dates reflect a dish his mother prepares, stuffed with goat cheese.
McIlroy incorporated elk into appetizers after receiving a large shipment, opting not to feature it as the main course. Main options are wagyu filet mignon or seared salmon, accompanied by Irish champ potatoes, Brussels sprouts and crispy Vidalia onion rings. McIlroy cited champ potatoes as a childhood favorite.
Dessert is sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream and warm toffee sauce. Wine selections from Augusta National's cellar include a 2022 Domaine Leflaive and a 1990 Château Lafite, with bottles of these vintages retailing for over $1,200 and up to $2,000 or more.[6]
The dinner is scheduled for April 7, 2026, ahead of the 2026 Masters, which tees off on April 9.[3] McIlroy won the 2025 title on April 13 in a playoff, completing the career Grand Slam as the sixth male golfer to achieve the feat.[1][2][7]
McIlroy, a four-time major winner prior to 2025 with victories at the 2011 U.S. Open, 2012 PGA Championship, 2014 Open Championship and 2014 PGA Championship, will defend his green jacket.[7]
Sources
- Fox News - Sports Coverage - Accessed October 2024 - https://www.foxnews.com/sports
- Imagn Images (via Fox News) - Masters 2025 Coverage - Accessed October 2024 - https://imagn.com/
- Masters.com - Champions Dinner Tradition - Accessed October 2024 - https://www.masters.com/en_US/tournament/traditions/champions_dinner.html
- The Masters (Official X/Twitter) - Main Page - Accessed October 2024 - https://www.masters.com/
- Irish Independent - Sport Golf Section - Accessed October 2024 - https://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/
- Wine-Searcher - Find Wine Prices & Values - Accessed October 2024 - https://www.wine-searcher.com/
- PGA Tour - Rory McIlroy Player Profile - Accessed October 2024 - https://www.pgatour.com/player/30748/rory-mcilroy
