Golf fans left stunned by little-known quirk in Masters' Champions Dinner tradition that will come as a blow to Rory McIlroy
After winning The Masters last year, Rory McIlroy got the honor of setting the menu at the famous 'Champions Dinner' ahead of this year's tournament and the Irishman spared no expense - even though he's paying for it.
It's a little-known fact of the Champions Dinner at Augusta National, but the expansive and expensive menus served up to the former winners of the golf major are financed entirely by the 'host' of the event - last year's victor.
This includes the food served as well as the drinks, which is key for McIlroy considering his palate and penchant for fine wines.
'I think it would be pretty presumptuous to have a menu in your head before you actually win the tournament,' McIlroy said in a conference call Wednesday.
'But I always thought about if I win the Masters one day, what would I want it to look like? What would I like to serve?'
He continued: 'Can't wait to host the dinner on Tuesday night,' McIlroy said. 'And then, obviously, be a part of that dinner for many, many years to come.'
Rory McIlroy has planned an extravagant Masters menu and he's on the hook for all of it
The Champions Dinner menu is paid for entirely by the previous year's winner
The 12 items on the menu show a range of tastes and flavors, with nods to McIlroy's roots throughout.
Starters include a peach and ricotta flatbread, an ode to Georgia's state fruit, as well as grilled elk sliders, rock shrimp tempura and his mother's bacon-wrapped dates.
The first course is the Yellowfin Tuna Carpaccio served at chef Eric Ripert's popular three-Michelin-star restaurant Le Bernardin in New York City. Chefs at Augusta flew up to the Big Apple to ensure they could prepare the dish in the same style.
The main course is a choice of Wagyu Filet Mignon or Seared Salmon. Those are served with sauteed brussels sprouts, brown butter glazed carrots, crispy Vidalia onion rings and traditional Irish champ - creamy mashed potatoes with scallions.
McIlroy rounds out the meal with a classic dessert from the British Isles: Sticky Toffee Pudding with vanilla ice cream.
Of course, there is an extensive wine list as McIlroy took full advantage of Augusta National's famous wine cellar.
In addition to a 2015 Salon 'S' Brut Champagne and a 2022 Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru, there's a pair of wines with special meaning to McIlroy.
One is a 1990 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Bordeaux that the golfer celebrated his Masters victory with. The bottles were purchased as a gift for McIlroy by his friend, Shane Lowry.
The menu features a rich wine list and multiple references to McIlroy's home and upbringing
The victory meant McIlroy finally conquered Augusta and completed the career grand slam
The other is a dessert wine - a 1989 Chateau d'Yquem - that McIlroy chose because it's 'my birth year' and was described by the golfer as 'liquid gold'.
Each of the wines cost upwards of $1,000. But, considering the achievement, it's worth it for McIlroy.
The victory at Augusta saw him finally win the Masters and accomplish his career Grand Slam.
He'll look to hold on to the green jacket against a crowded field in just a few weeks' time.
