Champions Dinner on the Horizon
On Tuesday, wine and elk will be handed out in Augusta. It’s an exciting time, especially since Rory McIlroy is set to host the traditional Champions Dinner that evening, a privilege reserved for the previous year’s champion.
Details of McIlroy’s menu have surfaced, and it’s reportedly the priciest Masters Dinner ever—at $264 per plate. Quite a staggering amount, isn’t it?
McIlroy will pick up the tab for the dinner, which boasts a selection of four wines. Leading the lineup is the 2022 Domaine Laflaive Batard-Montrachet, a white Burgundy from France, which sounds delightful. A report by The Palm Beach Post elaborates on this.
“Honestly, I’m just grateful to be a part of it,” McIlroy mentioned to the press over the weekend. “I want to share this experience with everyone present. It’s the most exclusive dinner club in all of sports, and we’re lucky to be part of it.”
He continued, “We’re here because of hard work and playing well.”
The main course will feature either wagyu filet mignon or seared salmon, coupled with a dessert of sticky toffee pudding topped with ice cream. Sounds indulgent, right?
However, perhaps McIlroy’s personality shines most through the appetizers. Elk sliders are on the menu, along with peach and ricotta flatbread, shrimp tempura, and bacon-wrapped dates. Quite an interesting mix of flavors.
“In the lead-up to last year’s Masters, I consumed a lot of elk. We had an abundance, so I indulged,” he shared. “But I opted not to make elk the main dish, just in case everyone wasn’t keen on it. Hence, it found its way into the appetizers instead.”
This Tuesday evening, a remarkable array of green jackets will fill the room. However, it’s a shame that two major figures will be missing. Tiger Woods is reportedly undergoing treatment for painkiller addiction in Switzerland after his recent incident related to drink-driving, while Phil Mickelson faces family health matters.
“It’s unfortunate that some players won’t be able to be there. They deserve recognition as well,” McIlroy noted. “Both are iconic champions in Masters history, but it’s still going to be a fantastic night. I’m looking forward to everyone enjoying the dinner and the selections I’ve made.”
As a final note, McIlroy is gearing up to defend his Masters title, which he clinched in a playoff against Justin Rose, starting Thursday. What a thrilling way to commence that journey!
