Earlier this year, at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, questions about one of golf’s most exclusive traditions quickly surfaced. As always, viewers were curious about what goes on at the Masters Champions Dinner, and attention turned to World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler as he reflected on attending and the etiquette that comes with it.
Scheffler Explains Champions Dinner Ahead of Masters
Scheffler returns to The Masters Tournament this week with his sights set on a third green jacket. Before competition begins, however, he’ll take part in the annual Champions Dinner, hosted this year by Rory McIlroy.
As Scheffler explained, one part of the evening is very clear for first-time attendees and that is where they sit.
Traditionally, the defending champion is seated at the head of the table, surrounded by Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley and the dinner’s longtime host and two-time Masters winner, Ben Crenshaw.
“It’s your first time in that room, you don’t really know what to expect,” Scheffler said. “The only thing I really knew is where I was going to sit. That’s basically the only thing I knew, sitting next to Mr. Crenshaw and the chairman.”
Beyond that, however, things become less formal.
“There’s a little protocol,” Scheffler added. “I’m definitely not going to go sit in the area where Tiger and Jack sit. Like, there’s kind of spots where you kind of feel you’ll naturally flow into.”
Scheffler Shares Laugh About Spieth’s Tricks
While seating isn’t strictly assigned beyond the head table, players tend to gravitate toward familiar groups. Over the years, fans have come to expect clusters that include names like Jordan Spieth, Zach Johnson, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Larry Mize, and Bernhard Langer.
Scheffler admitted he approached the situation strategically, but with a sense of humor.
“I definitely didn’t ask Jordan to sit by him, because he would have done something to make sure that I didn’t have a place to sit.” Scheffler said.”So I kinda looked at Zach and I said ‘Hey, where are you sitting this year?’ And he told me, and he was nice and let me join him.”
“But I definitely wasn’t going to ask Jordan for that because he would have messed with me.”
The two have a long standing friendship and both grew up in the Dallas area.
The Unwritten Rules of the Champions Dinner
While the Champions Dinner carries a sense of tradition, many of its “rules” are more understood than enforced.
Festivities typically begin at 6 p.m., with players expected to arrive on time and dressed appropriately in their green jackets. Most opt for classic white dress shirts and ties, often in Masters-themed colors like green or yellow
A long-standing tradition, dating back to 1952, is that the reigning champion covers the cost of dinner. That responsibility falls on McIlroy this year, and his menu, paired with premium wine selections, is expected to make for an especially lavish evening.
Above all, the night is about respect and camaraderie. Even amid ongoing tensions in professional golf like the divisions between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, the Champions Dinner remains a place where players set aside differences.
For one evening at least, the focus returns to tradition, shared history, and the unique bond of being a Masters champion.
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