Scottie Scheffler admitted he broke Masters Champions Dinner rule | Golf | Sport
Scottie Scheffler broke a Masters rule alongside his wife Meredith Scudder in 2023 (Image: Getty Images)
Much has been said about the unwritten rules surrounding the annual Masters dinner. Yet two-time Augusta winner Scottie Scheffler had absolutely no reservations about flouting convention. The prestigious gathering has played host to many of the sport’s greatest names over the years. The concept is straightforward enough: whoever claims the major title then hosts the dinner for all former champions the following year, even getting to craft the menu themselves.
One of the cardinal rules is that the occasion is strictly reserved for those who can boast a Green Jacket in their wardrobe. Scheffler, however, broke with tradition by smuggling his wife into the room before any guests had arrived, after he took on hosting duties following his Augusta triumph in 2023.
“I got there early, checked everything out, kind of snuck Meredith up there, let her see because she kind of helped me plan out a lot of the food and all that stuff,” the American star said three years ago. “Obviously, I wanted her to see it, so I kind of snuck her up the back, showed her everything before it got started.”
The privilege of designing the menu appears to be the chief attraction for former champions returning to host the iconic evening. Scheffler chose to lay on a traditional Southern-style banquet.
The world No. 1 chose starters including cheeseburger sliders, alongside firecracker shrimp with sweet Thai chilli and sriracha mayo. For his main, he opted for the Texas Ribeye Steak or the Blackened Redfish, while a chocolate chip skillet cookie was on offer for pudding.
This year, the spotlight falls on Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irish star completed the career Grand Slam in 2025 with his Masters victory. McIlroy has loaded his menu with regional delicacies and dishes dear to him.
Thirty-three previous Masters winners had dinner when the event was hosted by Scottie Scheffler (Image: @TheMasters/Twitter)
His selections include peach-and-ricotta flatbread, grilled elk sliders and yellowfin tuna carpaccio, rounded off with sticky toffee pudding for dessert.
Despite the reportedly boisterous, relaxed atmosphere of the evening, there is another unspoken rule: certain players may not sit beside golfing legends such as Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.
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Scheffler shed light on the unpredictable seating arrangements at the dinner. He said: “That’s basically the only thing I knew, sitting next to Mr. [Ben, host of the night] Crenshaw and the chairman. So, yeah, I was definitely nervous. I’m not really a super social guy to begin with.
“There’s a little protocol. Guys kind of have, like, I would say, sections where they sit. But you move around a little bit. There’s not necessarily assigned seats, but I’m definitely not going to go sit in the area where Tiger and Jack sit. Like, there’s kind of spots where you kind of feel you’ll naturally flow into.” One seat, however, may remain vacant at this year’s gathering.
Rory McIlroy won the Masters in 2025 (Image: Getty Images)
Five-time Masters champion Woods has announced he is taking a temporary break from the sport following a car crash, and his subsequent arrest, earlier this month.
This year’s Masters dinner is due to kick off on Tuesday evening at the Augusta clubhouse. The 2026 edition of the major gets under way on Thursday, April 9.
