Masters 2024: Jon Rahm hosts Champions Dinner at Augusta as LIV rebel treats his guests to his grandma’s stew and ribeye steak before the action finally gets underway on Thursday
2018 – Sergio Garcia: The Spaniard treated his guests to an international salad as a starter – with ingredients chosen to represent the countries of former Masters champions. The main course was ‘arroz caldoso de bogavante’, a traditional Spanish lobster rice.
But where Garcia’s dinner stood out most was his dessert. He served ‘Tres leches cake by Angela Garcia’. The inspiration is in the name, with his wife providing the recipe.
2017 – Danny Willett: He went traditional – very traditional. After his sublime and dramatic victory at the 2016 Masters, the Englishman made the most of his opportunity by serving mini cottage pies as a starter.
The Yorkshireman chose Sunday Roast (sirloin steak, jacket potatoes, vegetables and Yorkshire pudding) as his main course. And for dessert apple crumble and vanilla custard. However, he wasn’t done with that yet, because he also served coffee and tea with English cheese and biscuits.
2014 – Adam Scott: After missing out in 2011, the Australian went all out when he got the chance to impress at dinner three years later. Scott went surf and turf on the grill and served Moreton Bay Bugs from Australia alongside the strip steak.
He said they are actually insect-like lobsters. ‘I’m not going to serve anything second-rate tonight. I have to do everything I can to impress these guys.β Whether it worked, who knows. But it was certainly brave.
2012 – Charl Schwartzel: After leading Scott to the prestigious Green Jacket, Schwartzel served up a treat by going full BBQ style at Augusta.
An opening course consisted of a seafood bar, including shrimp, lobster and oysters. As a main course, the champions dined on ‘braai’ – a South African barbecue – including lamb chops, steaks and South African sausages. Vanilla sundae dessert.
2009 – Trevor Immelman: A proud South African, Immelman was truly inspired by his hometown while organizing his own Champions Dinner.
After winning his only major at the Masters in 2008, the Cape Town-born golfer gave Nicklaus, Woods and Co South African bobotie – a mince pie dish with egg topping. He also provided a variety of popular local wines.
2005 β Phil Mickelson: Perhaps the most refined dish. ‘Lefty’ wanted to bring some class to the table after his first Masters win in 2004.
Even though he was from America, Mickelson went for an Italian meal by eating lobster ravioli in tomato cream sauce, as well as Caesar salad and garlic bread.
2004 β Mike Weir: He’s the only Canadian to ever win the Masters, and he stayed true to his roots by serving elk and wild boar to golfing icons, along with local beers.
For those feeling less adventurous, Weir also gave them the option of fried chicken and filet mignon.
1998 – Tiger Forest: Remember, Woods was only 21 years old and still very young on the golf circuit when he hosted his first Champions Dinner. Maybe that explains why he went for…let’s say a selection from McDonald’s.
The fourteen-time major winner served cheeseburgers, fries and milkshakes to Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead, among others. And ahead of the 2019 Masters, Woods revealed that hosting his first dinner was “one of the most nervous moments of my life.”
1989 β Sandy Lyle: The Scot has certainly made the most of his time in the spotlight. After his only victory in Augusta, Lyle decided to wear a kilt and served the Scottish specialty of Haggis.
Following his bold choice, Lyle said, βThat seemed to make quite a statement. The older guys, like [Jack] Nicklaus had been to Scotland and knew what haggis was. But the newer guys like Larry Mize weren’t so sure.β
1986 – Bernhard Langer: The year after winning the first of his two Green Jackets, Langer returned with a piece of German culture. He became one of the first golfers to personalize and bring a bit of the flavor of his country to the table.
He chose wienerschnitzel (breaded veal) and Black Forest cake – two popular dishes in Germany.