Rory McIlroy may still be basking in the glow of his long-awaited Masters triumph—the one that finally completed his career Grand Slam—but make no mistake, he’s already thinking a few moves ahead. The green jacket is barely folded in the Augusta locker room, and Rory’s got venison on the brain.
A Tradition Unlike Any Other
The Champions Dinner is one of golf’s most exclusive nights. Only past Masters champions get a seat, and only the reigning champ picks the menu—and picks up the tab.
Since Ben Hogan first hosted in 1952, the dinner has become a curious window into each champion’s personality. Some pay full hometown homage, while others mix flair and fine dining. McIlroy? He’s going primal.
In an appearance on NBC’s Today show, McIlroy was asked by Carson Daly what might be on the menu next April, and instead of dodging with the usual “oh, we’ll see,” McIlroy delivered a surprising answer: wild game. Think elk. Think venison.
“I’ve been into like wild game recently,” McIlroy said. “So, like venison, elk, stuff like that. I don’t know if that might be in it. That sorta fueled this run, so maybe something like that.”
Fueling the Run, Feeding the Room
It’s a fascinating insight—not just into Rory’s palate but into what’s been driving his performance. If wild game has become part of his health and performance routine, it’s only fitting that it gets a spotlight on one of golf’s most hallowed nights. There’s a certain poetry to the idea of the hunter bringing his prize to the table, not just metaphorically but literally.
And let’s be honest: wild game plus potatoes? That combo doesn’t miss. Whether it’s a hearty elk roast or venison medallions paired with roasted root vegetables, McIlroy’s menu is shaping up to be a rustic yet refined spread—one that might make even Augusta’s famously buttoned-up chefs raise an eyebrow and smile.
A New Flavor at the Masters Table
Rory may not be going the predictable Irish route—no stew, no soda bread, no Guinness float. Instead, he’s drawing from what fueled him through a gritty stretch of golf that saw him finally slip on the green jacket and etch his name into Grand Slam history. It’s personal, bold, and probably a little leaner than what John Daly would order.
So come Tuesday of Masters week 2026, when the legends gather once again, expect the table talk to turn to antlers and open flame. Rory McIlroy didn’t just win the Masters—he might just serve up the most unexpected Champions Dinner in decades.
