The calendar hasn’t even turned to April yet, but everyone’s eyes are on the 2026 Masters. Reigning champion Rory McIlroy will arrive at Augusta National Golf Club with a green jacket in one hand and a dinner menu in the other as he plans to host the annual Champions Dinner ahead of the tournament.
Recent champions like Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm and Hideki Matsuyama have paid homage to their roots with their home countries and local cuisine, and McIlroy followed suit in certain areas. The Northern Irishman revealed that his menu will pay homage to his upbringing and include dishes that have personal meaning.
McIlroy’s menu features four appetizers, including bacon-wrapped dates, which he says were inspired by his mother. He also revealed that he was eating a lot of elk in preparation for his 2025 championship, which meant eating grilled elk. Peach and ricotta flatbread and rock shrimp tempura round out the appetizers.
“I want everyone to enjoy it,” McIlroy said of the main course.
Following the initial yellowfin tuna carpaccio, McIlroy offers wagyu filet mignon for those who prefer red meat, and seared salmon for those who prefer seafood. His dessert is sticky toffee pudding, which he predicts will be a popular menu item.
While McIlroy focused on the food portion of the menu, he left no stone unturned when it came to the champagne and wine selections. The 1990 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac was particularly meaningful to McIlroy, who drank it with friends and family on the night of his 2025 victory.
In addition to choosing the night’s course, McIlroy will also be responsible for delivering a speech in front of all the Masters champions and Grand Slam champions such as Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player in attendance. Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed, Jose María Olazabal, Nick Faldo and Ben Crenshaw are also expected to participate.
There always seems to be some fun stories spilling out from the nighttime festivities. In 2022, Mr. Couples called Mr. Matsuyama’s speech, delivered entirely in English, “the greatest thing” he had ever witnessed at a dinner party. The following year, several champions voiced their opinions on tortilla soup, which appeared on Schaeffler’s menu. Danny Willett aptly explains the spiciness levels.
“I ate it,” Willett said. “But I looked at Scotty and asked him if he was trying to kill us.”
