A recipe curated by his mother, a $2,200 wine and a surprise delicacy he craved before his win last year have been unveiled as part of Rory McIlroy's menu for the Masters Club.
McIlroy revealed he has tried to avoid planning his menu for the prestigious dinner throughout his career, in fear that it would prevent that dream from becoming a reality.
Last year, those fears were squashed as he defeated Justin Rose in a dramatic playoff on the course at Augusta National to secure the green jacket. He will now host all past champions at a dinner on April 7.
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"I tried to be pretty thoughtful with it … but at the same time trying to put together a good enough menu that everybody would enjoy as well," McIlroy said.
The menu includes some of the world No.2's favourites foods, while also incorporating some of his mother's recipes and local flavours from the Georgia area.
The appetisers include a crowd pleasing rocky shrimp tempura as well as a Georgia peach and ricotta flatbread with hot honey that "should go down well with the drinks."
Past champions can express their gratitude to the reigning champion's mother Rosie for the inclusion of bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese.
To top of the appetisers, McIlroy has chosen a grilled elk slider.
"In the build-up to the Masters last year, I was eating a lot of elk," he revealed.
"I didn't want elk to be the main course because I didn't know if everyone would like that … so I'm doing grilled elk sliders which I think is fun."
The first course, a yellowfin tuna carpaccio, is inspired by a dish made by French chef Eric Ripert, which sees a thin slice of a baguette topped with foie gras (a paste made from the liver of a duck or goose).
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A choice of a wagyu filet mignon or seared salmon is available for the main. To finish off the menu, a sticky toffee pudding with warm toffee sauce will be served.
A collection of wines will also be on offer, ranging from a $1000 red or white wine to a champagne worth over $2,200.
"This is going to be the first time I drive down Magnolia Lane (as a champion) and it's all going to be about enjoying my week and the perks that come along," McIlroy said.
"I know I get to go back to the Masters for the rest of my life. That is a freeing feeling."
When the dinner is over, McIlroy's sole focus will be on repeating his 2025 title charge.
There has been some alarm of late around the 36-year-old's fitness leading into the first major of the year as he withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitation due to injury.
McIlroy played down the injury concern when speaking to reporters on Thursday, recognising that it was simply a "little back issue" that he has recovered from.
"I am pleased with how my body responded to that little setback," he said.
"I'm really excited to get to the week of the Masters and defend."
Only three golfers have recorded back-to-back wins at the Masters, with the last to do so Tigers Woods in 2002.
The Masters will take place from April 9 to April 12.
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