One of the most cherished traditions of the Masters Tournament is undoubtedly the Champions Dinner, an event that brings together past winners of the prestigious golf competition. Held annually at Augusta National Golf Club, this gathering is hosted by the reigning champion, who curates a menu that often reflects their heritage, culinary preferences, and personal memories.
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Every year, on the Tuesday of Masters week, previous champions reunite for this exclusive dinner, making it a highlight of the tournament. The atmosphere is usually one of camaraderie, as legendary golfers share stories while enjoying a meal that reveals a lot about the host’s background. Recent menus have celebrated diverse culinary influences, showcasing the unique tastes of champions such as Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Jon Rahm.
In April 2026, Rory McIlroy, who secured his first green jacket in 2025, hosted the dinner and drew inspiration from his Northern Irish roots, along with a few culinary influences from his travels. McIlroy’s menu included charming options that reflected his childhood—particularly a side of Irish champ, a traditional comfort food made predominantly of potatoes. This dish, as the golfer recalls, was something he consumed “by the bowlful” in his youth.
The initial offerings of McIlroy’s dinner featured a peach-and-ricotta flatbread with hot honey and rock shrimp tempura, alongside bacon-wrapped dates inspired by his mother’s cooking. He also presented grilled elk sliders with onion jam and aioli, followed by a first course of yellowfin tuna carpaccio with foie gras and served with toasted baguette—reminiscent of a dish from his favourite New York eatery, Le Bernardin. For the main course, guests could choose between wagyu filet mignon or seared salmon, both served with traditional Irish champ and complemented by seasonal vegetables. To conclude the meal, a dessert of warm sticky toffee pudding paired with vanilla ice cream was served.
Scottie Scheffler, who has tasted victory at the Masters on two occasions, chose to represent his Texan upbringing in his Champions Dinner menus. The 2025 dinner began with cheeseburger sliders, described as “Scottie style,” alongside firecracker shrimp served with sweet Thai chilli sauce. Main courses included a hearty cowboy ribeye steak or blackened redfish with southern-style sides such as jalapeño creamed corn and soy-glazed Brussels sprouts. Desserts took a sweet turn with a warm chocolate chip skillet cookie served with vanilla bean ice cream.
Jon Rahm’s 2024 feast showcased flavours from his Basque heritage, assisted by renowned chef José Andrés. The evening kicked off with a selection of six tapas, including ibericos and lentil stew, which he affectionately referred to as “Mama Rahm’s classic.” The dinner progressed to a crisp salad of Basque crab before offering a choice of grilled ribeye or turbot. For dessert, guests enjoyed milhojas de crema, a delightful puff pastry cake that also held sentimental value as it was served at Rahm’s wedding.
The diversity of dishes served at the Champions Dinner is reflective of the individual champion’s personal story. Hideki Matsuyama exemplified this when he hosted his Japanese-themed dinner in 2022, starting with assorted sushi and sashimi, followed by Miyazaki wagyu steak with seasonal vegetables. Towards the end of the evening, attendees indulged in Japanese strawberry cheesecake paired with whipped cream.
Dustin Johnson opted for a quintessential American menu in 2021, kicking off his dinner with pigs in a blanket and lobster-and-corn fritters. His choices spanned garden salads to hearty prime filet mignon and miso-marinated seabass, concluding with a selection of pie desserts that evoked a sense of home.
Notably, Tiger Woods, a five-time Masters champion, created a memorable experience in his 2020 dinner held at home due to the pandemic. He prepared a menu encompassing sushi, prime steak, chicken fajitas, and a trio of desserts that included churros—a nostalgic nod to his culinary preferences from years past.
Through these meals, not only do the Masters champions share their culinary heritage, but they also reinforce a sense of kinship among golfers who have walked the hallowed fairways of Augusta. The tradition of the Champions Dinner allows them to celebrate their triumphs while creating lasting memories surrounded by those who understand the significance of their achievements. Each year, the dinner remains a potent reminder of the game’s rich history and enduring legacies, ensuring that both past and present champions are forever linked through their shared experiences on the golf course.