Food may not be the first thing golf fans think of when it comes to the Masters. But for Rory McIlroy, “food for thought” has been taken to a new level.
The world No. 2 golfer returns to Augusta National this year as the reigning champion, and that means hosting the coveted Champions Dinner two days before Round 1 tees off. The previous year’s winner gets to curate the menu, which typically includes some personal favorites. (Scottie Scheffler added plenty of Texas flair in the years he hosted the meal.)
This year, McIlroy pulled inspiration from many different places to assemble a menu that combines close personal favorites and dishes that are sure to please the crowd.
And there is one item in particular he is especially excited to share.
Rory McIlroy Dishes on Masters Menu
When it came to this year’s dinner, Rory McIlroy will serve up a healthy mix of childhood favorites, local specialties, and his faves from across the globe.
“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’s official website.
That dose of nostalgia includes adding his favorite sides to the wagyu-or-seared-salmon main course: Vegetables and Irish champ, a traditional potato dish.
“When I was a kid, I used to eat (Irish) champ by the bowlful,” McIlroy said. “Some sauteed Brussels sprouts. Glazed carrots with brown butter. And then trying to bring a little bit of that local flavor back in, some crispy Vidalia onion rings.”
Speaking of local, the Irishman tips his cap to Augusta National a second time on the menu with a peach and ricotta flatbread.
“I wanted to try to bring a little bit of the local ingredients in,” he said. “So I’m doing a Georgia peach and ricotta flatbread with hot honey.”
McIlroy rounds out the menu with dishes he thinks everyone will want to chow down on. That includes the rock shrimp tempura appetizer and a sticky toffee pudding for dessert.
“I think very much a crowd-pleaser, sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream on warm toffee sauce,” he said.
His Favorite Part of the Masters Dinner Menu
While the dishes are varied and all sound delicious, this year’s host is most excited about the libations.
“My favorite part of the menu is you obviously get access to the wonderful wine cellar at Augusta National,” McIlroy said.
“I wanted to be really intentional with the wines. It’s something that I’m really into and passionate about and started to collect wine, probably over the past decade.”
His Outlook Ahead of the Masters
McIlroy may not want to go too hard on the vino as he gears up to defend his green jacket.
His history at Augusta is full of peaks and valleys leading up to his big win against Justin Rose in a playoff in 2025. He finished T5 in 2020 and solo second in 2022, but also missed the cut in both 2021 and 2023. In 2024, he failed to shoot under a 71 throughout the weekend and finished T22 at four over par.
Heading into the 2026 edition, McIlroy is still searching for his first PGA Tour win of the season. His best finish in four starts was a T2 at the Genesis Invitational on Feb. 19.
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