Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy, the 2025 Masters champion, held the traditional Champions Dinner at Augusta National, where he selected a remarkable menu and four prestigious wines. This dinner, attended exclusively by past Masters winners and the chairman of Augusta, is not only a way for the champion to pay homage to their victory, but also to showcase their personal tastes in food and wine.
The dinner’s cost per guest reached an astonishing $318 (£236), marking a 194% increase compared to the previous year. For the 34 attendees, this totals over $10,812 (£8,032) for the meal alone. However, the real highlight was the wine selection, which McIlroy chose intentionally, reflecting his growing passion for wine over the past decade.
McIlroy’s wine choices were:
- Salon 2015 Champagne – Served with appetizers, this is a prestigious choice as it’s the only wine produced by the Salon estate.
- Domaine Leflaive Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2022 – Accompanying the yellowfin tuna carpaccio with foie gras, McIlroy regards it as a personal favorite, having influenced his liking for white wines.
- Château Lafite Rothschild 1990 – For the main course, either wagyu filet mignon or seared salmon, this Bordeaux holds sentimental value for McIlroy as it was served when he won the Masters.
- Château d’Yquem 1989 – Completing the dinner, this dessert wine is described by McIlroy as "liquid gold," highlighting his appreciation for its exquisite quality.
The total retail cost for replicating the wine selection for a similar dinner would be approximately £49,248 ($66,114) when accounting for larger serving sizes. This figure showcases the exclusivity and high value of the wines selected for the occasion.
McIlroy, who achieved a career Grand Slam with his Masters victory, was able to gather remarkable golfing legends at the dinner, reinforcing not just his place in golf history but also illustrating the camaraderie among past champions. Out of the 35 living Masters champions, 33 were present, making the event a noteworthy gathering of golfing greatness.