Rory McIlroy had the task of putting together the Masters Champions Dinner on Tuesday night, but one thing was noticeably absent on the menu.
Any sort of nod to his native Northern Ireland.
During a press conference earlier in the day on Tuesday, he gave a bit of a reason for that occurrence.
“People keep asking me, ‘Why didn’t you go more Irish?’” McIlroy said. “And I said, ‘Because I want to enjoy the dinner as well.’”
The lighthearted comment drew plenty of laughter in the room.
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy on 12th hole during a practice round on April 7, 2026. REUTERS As the winner of the 2025 Masters, McIlroy is charged with putting together this year’s dinner, and in years past, winners have found ways to pay homage to their home countries through the menu.
Among the items on the menu were Peach and Ricotta Flatbread as part of the appetizer options, yellowfin tuna carpaccio for the first course, a choice of wagyu filet mignon or seared salmon for the main course and sticky toffee pudding for dessert.
“I tried to do a few things that I thought everyone would eat,” McIlroy said. “The club encouraged me to do one vegetarian dish in the appetizers, so that’s where the peach and ricotta flatbread came from. I think that one was probably for Gary Player.
“Yeah, it’s been fun to work through. The club have been amazing to work with. As I said, the fun part was getting access to that wonderful wine cellar that they have. I’m excited to share those wines with everyone tonight as well.”
Rory McIlroy and Tom McKibbin talk while walking the no. 17 fairway during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Michael Madrid-Imagn Images McIlroy captured his first career Masters title last spring when he defeated Justin Rose in a playoff.
He’ll begin the Masters this year by teeing off on Thursday at 10:31 a.m. in a pairing that includes U.S. Amateur champion Mason Howell and Players Championship champion Cameron Young.
