Rory McIlroy is the defending Masters champion but will be aware of this unwritten golden rule
Rory McIlroy will return to Augusta National as reigning Masters champion next week.(Image: Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy may be returning to Augusta this year as defending champion, but it’s likely he will follow the unwritten rule of where to sit at the Masters dinner. The Northern Irish superstar will host fellow winners of the Green Jacket during the exclusive gathering held two days before the prestigious major.
However, according to Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth, players 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 won again at Augusta National in 2024.
Scheffler elaborated during a press conference 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.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! All the best sports news and much more on our dedicated Facebook page
“So I kind of looked at Zach, I was like, ‘Hey, where are you sitting this year?’ And he told me, and he was nice and let me join him. But I definitely wasn’t going to ask Jordan for that because he would have messed with me.”
Asked about there being any particular rules, Scheffler said: “There’s a little protocol. Guys have, like, I would say, sections where they sit. But you move around a little bit.
READ MORE: Rory McIlroy makes £7.1million decision as he leaves Zurich Classic partner high and dryREAD MORE: Scottie Scheffler admitted he would withdraw from the Masters if he received one phone call
“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 also lifted the lid on the unwritten rules that golf’s superstars must follow during the dinner. The American has an invitation to the meal thanks to his 2015 Masters victory.
“It’s kind of like 6th, 7th grade,” he playfully said. “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.
Rory McIlroy won the Masters following a playoff last year(Image: Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
“It’s kind of the same deal. Sit with Scottie [Scheffler], but then when Scottie wins, you know, he’s done that twice in the last three or four or so. There’s a certain section on the far side from where we sit where you don’t sit, because it’s Jack and Tiger. And that’s where 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 know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today.
Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler agree on one thing when it comes to the Masters dinner(Image: 2024 Ben Jared/PGA TOUR)
“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 both get to enjoy McIlroy’s menu this year, which features wagyu filet mignon and seared salmon.
Among the appetisers are bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with goat’s cheese, yellowfin tuna carpaccio, foie gras, a toasted baguette with chives and elk sliders. Sticky toffee pudding will be available for dessert.
Get £250 to switch to Virgin Media’s sport packages
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
from £52.99
Virgin Media
Virgin Media is paying new customers up to £250 as a bill credit when they switch to one of its TV and broadband packages, several which are packed with hundreds of channels including Sky Sports, Netflix and fibre broadband.