“I would have advised Rory to talk up Irish food as opposed to saying that people wouldn’t enjoy it”
Rob Currell Live news reporter and Isaac Seelochan
15:28, 11 Apr 2026
Rory McIlroy during round one of the 2026 Masters
Rory McIlroy has found himself at the centre of a storm after appearing to take a swipe at Irish food during his time at the Masters. The Northern Ireland ace is bidding for back-to-back Masters titles in Augusta this weekend as he pursues a sixth Grand Slam triumph.
The 36-year-old heads into Saturday’s action in Georgia in a dominant position, holding a six-shot lead after closing out his second round with four consecutive birdies, including a stunning chip-in on the 17th hole.
McIlroy sits comfortably ahead of Patrick Reed and Sam Burns in second place as he chases further glory. However, the golfing icon has courted controversy following his comments to the media at Tuesday’s Masters Champions Dinner.
READ MORE: Rory McIlroy takes record-breaking Masters lead after late birdie spree lights up AugustaREAD MORE: Rory McIlroy moves clear to strengthen grip on defence of Masters title
The prestigious event is traditionally hosted by the previous year’s Masters champion, and McIlroy raised eyebrows with a quip explaining why he had opted against featuring Irish fare on the menu.
He said: “People keep asking me, ‘Why didn’t you go more Irish?’ And I said, ‘Because I want to enjoy the dinner as well’,” reported the Mirror.
That comment has drawn criticism from leading figures within modern Irish cuisine, including TV chef and food stylist Erica Drum, via the Irish Independent.
She said the remark has drawn sharp criticism from prominent figures in contemporary Irish cuisine.
She added: “He didn’t need to do that. We are famous across the world for our dairy produce, our cheese and our cream. Imagine if he’d done a full Irish cheese board. We are the envy of the world.
“I feel like he just hasn’t experienced good food. If we’re to look at some of the producers in Northern Ireland alone, before we even go to southern Ireland, he could have brought in food from Broughgammon.
“They have the most incredible cured meat and fresh meat.”
Renowned chef Derry Clarke also sprang to the defence of Ireland’s homegrown food sector following McIlroy’s contentious remarks.
He said: “Irish beef, I mean, there’s no comparison. I would have put on Irish cheese… smoked salmon, the brilliant breads we make. Our soda bread is spectacular.
“We’re years ahead of anyone, pretty much. When we have a steak at home, we know it’s grass-fed. It hasn’t grown up in a pen in the middle of a desert.”
Adrian Cummins, boss of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, also weighed in with some sage advice for the Masters frontrunner – while extending an olive branch for potential redemption.
“I would have advised Rory to talk up Irish food as opposed to saying that people wouldn’t enjoy it,” he said.
“We have the best produce in the world in terms of farm-to-fork. It’s grass-fed, it’s environmentally sustainable and I think we undersell ourselves as a country in terms of food, quality of food and the food tourism agenda.
“We’re now going to get a new food tourism strategy for the country and I’m sure, when it’s ready, we’d love to have Rory over to launch it.”
Rory McIlroy will tee off at 7:50pm BST on Saturday, partnered with Sam Burns. The Northern Irish golf star revealed on Friday that he intends to unwind before his Augusta round by watching the Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament and enjoying the film Zootopia 2 with his daughter.
He said: “That distraction is usually a good thing for me, especially with a late tee time and the lead.
“There are two really good semi-finals at Monte Carlo in the tennis. So I’ll watch those.
“We’ve been watching the tennis early in the mornings. And then hopefully spend some time with Poppy. I think we’re about halfway through Zootopia 2.”
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.