Rory McIlroy has set a new benchmark for the Champions Dinner at the Masters Tournament, drawing attention for both its price and its personal touches.
The 2026 menu carries an average cost of $318 per plate, the highest recorded over the past decade, according to a 2026 analysis from Sportsbook Review. The figure represents a sharp increase from 2025, when Scottie Scheffler’s menu came in at $108 per plate.
Tradition Behind the Champions Dinner
The Champions Dinner is one of the Masters’ most enduring traditions.
The concept dates back to 1952, when Ben Hogan brought past winners together for a private meal ahead of the most prestigious golf tournament. Each year, the defending champion selects the menu, offering a personal reflection of their tastes and background.
As the reigning champion, McIlroy curated the 2026 menu with a mix of personal favorites and broader influences.
“It was just from the heart and from personal experience, and I guess a little bit of nostalgia for me of what I wanted to serve,” McIlroy said via the PGA Tour.
Menu Blends Luxury and Personal Influence
McIlroy’s selections lean toward fine dining while incorporating elements tied to his upbringing and the host venue.
The appetizers include peach and ricotta flatbread, rock shrimp tempura, bacon-wrapped dates and grilled elk sliders. The flatbread includes Georgia peaches, a nod to Augusta, while other dishes reflect a range of global influences.
The first course features yellowfin tuna carpaccio with foie gras, followed by main options of Wagyu filet mignon or seared salmon.
Sides include Irish champ, sautéed Brussels sprouts, glazed carrots with brown butter and crispy Vidalia onion rings.
“When I was a kid, I used to eat Irish champ by the bowlful,” McIlroy said.
Dessert features sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream and warm toffee sauce, which McIlroy described as a “crowd-pleaser.”
The menu also includes curated wine selections, an area McIlroy said has become a personal interest.
“My favorite part of the menu is you obviously get access to the wonderful wine cellar at Augusta National,” he said.
Record Price Sets New Standard
The inclusion of premium ingredients such as foie gras and Wagyu beef contributed to the elevated cost.
McIlroy’s $318 menu is the highest among recent Champions Dinner selections, surpassing Hideki Matsuyama’s $220 menu in 2022 and Jon Rahm’s $180 menu in 2024.
The increase represents nearly a 200% jump from 2025.
Reaction Extends Beyond Golf
The menu has generated discussion across golf and social media communities.
Food content creator Jack Mancuso recreated the full menu in a video shared online, offering a review of each dish.
Mancuso praised several items, including the bacon-wrapped dates and peach and ricotta flatbread, and described the meal as “an insanely good dinner.”
The video reached McIlroy, who reposted it on his Instagram story with a drooling emoji.
Spotlight Returns to Augusta
The Champions Dinner remains a unique part of Masters week, offering a rare moment for past winners to gather away from competition.
McIlroy’s menu reflects both the tradition and the evolving nature of the event, blending personal expression with high-end dining.
The dinner is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, ahead of the tournament, where both the menu and the conversation surrounding it will again draw attention.
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