RORY MCILROY PULLED off a bit of a risky fart this week. At a press conference in advance of hosting the Masters Champions’ Dinner in Augusta the Holywood-born Pro threw out a half-serious comment about choosing to go “less Irish” with the menu because he “wanted to enjoy” the dinner himself.

The air may have been scented in self-depreciation, and McIlroy got away with the cheeky quip, but something more pungent lingered: does McIlroy really believe a more Irish menu would make this prestigious private dinner less palatable?

Crafting the Champions Dinner menu. #themasters pic.twitter.com/l4oilo7905— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 7, 2026

Crafting the Champions Dinner menu. #themasters pic.twitter.com/l4oilo7905

Hosted by the current titleholder, who personally designs the menu, the exclusive dinner has been an annual tradition for almost 75 years and lifts the curtain on each year’s tournament. Only past Masters champions and a very select number of club officials, are granted a seat at the table and, for the most part, the plates tend to be peppered with personality and personal heritage.

Basque golfer Jon Rahm served a menu of not only Spanish produce but family recipes in 2023, from Basque crab salad and ‘Mama Rahm’s’ lentil stew to picky bits of txistorra (chorizo) and Idiazabal cheese. Sergio Garcia did similar in 2018, serving Spanish lobster rice and tres leches cake.

Swings from the first round. #themasters pic.twitter.com/aqt5yMJdPv— The Masters (@TheMasters)........

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