Masters Champions Dinner photo shows Rory McIlroy front and center
The annual Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club kicks off every year with its yearly Champions Dinner in recognition of the defending champion, Rory McIlroy. The first snapshot of the evening has arrived.
The Masters released a photo from the supper gathering featuring McIlroy with a center table seat amongst 33 other previous champions of the prestigious event.
The 2025 champ decided on a main course dinner that included a dealer's choice of wagyu filet minon or seared salmon.
Rory McIlroy's Masters Champions Dinner options
McIlroy came up with the idea for his dinner choices and appetizers from thinking back on his childhood. The bacon-wrapped dates dish is an ode to the Hors d'oeuvres that his mother would make. McIlroy added a dish that he had more recently took a liking to, the elk sliders, a snack ate leading up to the 2025 Master.
Here's what 2025 Masters champion McIlroy requested to have served for the complete 2026 Masters Champions Dinner:
Rory McIlroy's Masters Champions Dinner menu
Appetizers
Peach and ricotta flatbread: Balsamic, hot honey, basil
Rock shrimp tempura: Creamy Spicy Sauce
Bacon-wrapped dates: Goat cheese, almonds
Grilled elk sliders: Caramelized onion jam, roasted garlic aioli
First course
Yellowfin tuna carpaccio: Foie gras, toasted baguette, chives
Main course
Choice of wagyu filet minon or seared salmon: Traditional Irish champ, sauteed brussels sprouts, glazed carrots with brown butter, crispy vidalia onion rings
Dessert
Sticky toffee pudding: Vanilla ice cream and warm toffee sauce
Was Tiger Woods at the Masters dinner?
There are 33 other previous living Masters champions. Tiger Woods was not among those in attendance.
Woods, who has won five Masters tournaments in his career, revealed on social media that he would take time away from golf following a March 27 rollover car crash that resulted in Woods getting arrested on DUI suspicion.
He contemplated a return to the Masters during the TGL Finals.
"I want to play. I love the tournament," Woods said at the TGL finals, about playing the Masters. "I love being there since when I was 19 years old. I'm going to be there either way."
However, after Woods' accident, he decided to prioritize his health.
"I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today," Woods wrote on March 31. "I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health."
Who attended the Masters Champions Dinner?
Besides Woods, Phil Mickelson was the only other previous living champion who did not attend. Mickelson stayed back due to personal health issues.