Rory McIlroy is doing everyone a favor by keeping traditional, Irish food off his Masters Champions Dinner menu.
We’re nearing the start of the major championship that’s referred to as “a tradition unlike any other.” The year’s first (and undoubtedly best) major is always kicked off with an exclusive gathering: the Masters Champions Dinner. How can you get a seat at the table you may ask? The only players allowed into the historic dinner are those who have been able to put on the “Green Jacket” at some point in their playing career.
Here’s the catch: all former champions of the tournament are invited to sit down to eat, but the most recent year’s winner gets to choose the menu.
Last year, Rory McIlroy finally broke through and won the Masters Tournament – completing his quest for a career grand slam (winning all four of pro golf’s majors). Back in March, the Irishman’s Masters Club Dinner menu was released, which included a handful of appetizers, some excellent choices for main courses, and a toffee-based dessert:
Appetizers
-Peach and ricotta flatbread
-Bacon-wrapped dates
-Rock shrimp tempura
-Grilled elk sliders
First Course
-Yellowfin tuna carpaccio w/ toasted baguette
Main Course
-Choice of wagyu filet minon or seared salmon w/ Traditional Irish champ, sauteed brussels sprouts, glazed carrots with brown butter, and crispy vidalia onion rings
Dessert
-Sticky toffee pudding w/ vanilla ice cream
Looks pretty good, right?
Noticeably absent are Irish foods like root vegetables, potatoes, oats and stews. One might imagine that a proud Irishman like Rory McIlroy would try to inject his culture and heritage into his Masters menu… but as you can see, he didn’t. And during time with the media today – hours before the Champions Dinner will take place – he revealed exactly why he strayed away from Irish food:
“People keep asking me, ‘Why didn’t you go more Irish?’ And I say, ‘Because I want to enjoy the dinner as well.'”
Not exactly helping the stereotype that food in Ireland is bad, but a hilarious anecdote nonetheless.
McIlroy has previously stated that he chose to incorporate elk into the menu because he was eating a lot of elk meat prior to his 2025 Masters victory. As for some of the other inspirations, the Yellowfin tuna is a favorite dish at a New York restaurant, and the one Irish item that is on the menu – the champ potatoes – is something that Rory says he had a lot of when he was younger.
The Champions Dinner is one of the many steps along the glorious week of the Masters. On Wednesday, golfers will make their last preparations and some will compete in the beloved Par 3 Contest. Then on Thursday, the competition begins, and then continues through Sunday.
And it all takes place at the beautiful Augusta National Golf Club that most golf fans consider to be golf heaven. It’s hard to argue against that when you see the bright green fairways and putting surfaces and blossoming azaleas all across the hallowed grounds.
