Rory McIlroy is the defending Masters champion however will pay attention to this unwritten golden rule
Rory McIlroy will return to Augusta National as reigning Masters champion subsequent week.(Image: Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy could also be returning to Augusta this yr as defending champion, however it’s probably he will comply with the unwritten rule of the place to sit at the Masters dinner. The Northern Irish famous person will host fellow winners of the Green Jacket through the unique gathering held two days earlier than the celebrated main.
However, based on Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth, gamers will not sit by {golfing} icons Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus at the annual dinner. Scheffler’s first experience of the event was in 2023, following his maiden success 12 months earlier. The American then received once more at Augusta National in 2024.
Scheffler elaborated throughout a press convention at the Arnold Palmer Invitational: “Zach [Woods] and Jordan [Spieth] always sat next to each other, and 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.
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“So I type of regarded at Zach, I used to be like, ‘Hey, the place are you sitting this yr?’ And he instructed me, and he was good and let me be part of him. But I undoubtedly wasn’t going to ask Jordan for that as a result of he would have messed with me.”
Asked about there being any explicit guidelines, Scheffler stated: “There’s a bit protocol. Guys have, like, I might say, sections the place they sit. But you progress round a bit bit.
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“There are no necessarily assigned seats, but I’m definitely not going to sit in the area where Tiger and Jack sit. Like, there are kinds of spots where you feel you’ll naturally flow into.”
Spieth additionally lifted the lid on the unwritten guidelines that golf’s superstars should comply with through the dinner. The American has an invite to the meal due to his 2015 Masters victory.
“It’s kind of like 6th, 7th grade,” he playfully stated. “If the teacher they have assigned seats you get all bummed, and if they let you sit wherever you want you end up sitting in the same spot anyways.
“It’s type of the identical deal. Sit with Scottie [Scheffler], however then when Scottie wins, you understand, he’s executed that twice in the final three or 4 or so. There’s a sure part on the far aspect from the place we sit the place you do not sit, as a result of it is Jack and Tiger. And that is the place Arnie [Palmer] was.”
There may be one empty chair at this year’s gathering, however. Five-time Masters champion Woods has said he is temporarily stepping away from the sport following a car crash earlier this month.
The 50-year-old was arrested and charged with driving under the influence after clipping a truck and rolling his car in Florida on Friday. Speaking about the incident for the first time, Woods wrote on X: “I do know and perceive the seriousness of the state of affairs I discover myself in at present.
“I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritise my wellbeing and work toward lasting recovery.”
Meanwhile, Scheffler and Spieth will each get to take pleasure in McIlroy’s menu this yr, which options wagyu filet mignon and seared salmon.
Among the appetisers are bacon-wrapped dates filled with goat’s cheese, yellowfin tuna carpaccio, foie gras, a toasted baguette with chives and elk sliders. Sticky toffee pudding will likely be out there for dessert.
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