Masters Champions Dinner: Get the scoop on Rory McIlroy's night

AUGUSTA, Ga. — The clock hit 9:29 p.m. on Tuesday night when a Mercedes SUV pulled into the driveway of a four-bedroom rental in North Augusta.

Gripping tight to a Champions Dinner menu, the second-oldest living Masters Tournament winner exited the driver's door.

“Crenshaw did something he had never done before,” 89-year-old Tommy Aaron said. “He asked Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player to give remarks about Rory.”

What happened at the 2026 Masters Champions Dinner

Two hours earlier, Ben Crenshaw rose from the table and said eight words.

“The inevitable happened. Rory McIlroy won the Masters," he said.

It took Rory 17 years of heartbreak and scars. Yet for Crenshaw, Rory’s place inside the second-floor library of the Augusta National clubhouse was “inevitable.”

Gentle Ben continued his remarks, reminding the table of last April, and telling Rory, “You took us on a toboggan ride.” 

Crenshaw praised Rory’s courage on the 15th hole.

“No. 15 may be one of the best shots that have ever been hit over here,” Crenshaw told the table.

Poised to make eagle. Rory McIlroy goes for glory on No. 15. #themasterspic.twitter.com/hAM0zxnkM7— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025

Then Crenshaw asked the other two Grand Slam winners in the room to share remarks.

Nicklaus spoke of the first time he met McIlroy and his head of teenage hair.

“Jack had the whole table laughing,” Tommy Aaron said. “Just a fantastic speech about the ups and downs that Rory has experienced, and how he kept asking Rory after different situations, ‘Did you learn anything from this?’ Rory would keep telling Jack, ‘I think I did.’“

Player, too, praised McIlroy, while telling the table his path from South Africa to achieving Grand Slam lore.

Thirty-three of 35 chairs for past champs were occupied, as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were unable to make the Georgia trek.

It was Tiger’s third missed supper since 2021, and the 27th straight April where the Masters Club was under capacity; only three times (1965, 1967, 1999) since its 1952 inception have all living winners been seated together.

“Rory said all the right things,” Charles Coody said. “He didn’t get emotional, but he gave a great welcome speech about how much he appreciates being here.”

When asked what Rory said about Tiger, Aaron said, “Rory kept it brief. He said that we miss Tiger and that has to do whatever he has to do to take care of himself.”

In addition to asking Nicklaus and Player to speak, Crenshaw brought props: a 7-degree lofted driver that belonged to Ben Hogan, the founder of the Masters Club.

The table passed around the club shortly before dinner was served.

What was on the menu for Rory McIlroy's Champions Dinner?

Ah, the food. Following the first course of yellowfin tuna, the main dish of seared salmon or wagyu filet mignon was served, while most picked the latter.

Craig Stadler ordered red meat. Sandy Lyle, who operates a wagyu beef farm in Scotland, said, “Of course, steak.” Patrick Reed put it bluntly: “I’m a Texan. It’s always steak.” Danny Willett said, “When steak is on the menu, it’s never fish.”

Aaron ordered salmon and indulged in a glass of Chateau Lafite Rothschild. Zach Johnson sat to Aaron’s right, while Scottie Scheffler occupied the left. “The only thing I saw Scottie drink was water,” Aaron said. 

Did the meal meet expectations?

“Everyone around me got the filet, but I’ve been eating so much beef lately that I guilted myself into the salmon,” the 1973 champ said. “But it was fantastic. The entire spread was as good as any dinner we’ve had.”

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: 2026 Masters Champions Dinner honors Rory McIlroy at Augusta National