Masters champion Rory McIlroy can now walk around Augusta National with considerably more confidence since achieving Grand Slam status. Yet it wasn’t always plain sailing, as the Northern Irishman revealed when recalling a « really awkward » encounter with Justin Rose last year.
Before the British pair went on to claim the top two spots at the 2025 Masters, there came the rather delicate matter of knowing where to park. Former champions at Augusta National enjoy certain privileges, with a coveted parking space beside the clubhouse being one of them.
It made for a « weird » moment of indecision when Ryder Cup team-mates McIlroy and Rose pulled up to the venue. Speaking ahead of this year’s tournament, McIlroy described his relief at no longer having to concern himself with such trivial matters.
« It was weird, » McIlroy said. « I was pulling up Magnolia Lane, and you get to the [Founders Circle], and I’m like, ‘Well, do I go and park way over at the parking lot?’ Because I’m not going to park in the champions parking lot.
« Then at that specific moment, the champions were having their cocktails out on the balcony. I’m like, ‘I don’t want to valet, get out, they’re going to see me and it’s going to be weird’.
« So I had this really awkward moment with it all last year. Yeah, thankfully that was the last time that I needed to do that. »
McIlroy and Rose took part in a memorable play-off battle at the conclusion of the 2025 Masters. It briefly appeared as though Englishman Rose would pull off the upset and claim his first major in 12 years, only for McIlroy to end his own 11-year wait and finally complete the career Grand Slam.
He returned to Augusta this year as the proud holder of his own coveted Green Jacket. Amongst the many privileges of being a Masters champion is the chance to curate one’s own Champions Dinner menu.
Following a selection of appetisers, McIlroy treated his fellow champions to a yellowfin tuna carpaccio starter, with a main course choice of either wagyu filet mignon or seared salmon. To round things off, he opted for a dessert of sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream, and spoke warmly about the pleasure he took in putting the meal together.
« It was a fun process to go through, » said McIlroy. « I was trying to achieve something that I would enjoy but also something that ties back to experiences that I’ve had, but also wanted it to be something that all the other people in that room would enjoy as well.
« People keep asking me, ‘Why didn’t you go more Irish?’ And I said, ‘Because I want to enjoy the dinner as well’. »
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