What is the Masters Champions dinner and what is on Jon Rahm’s menu this year?

THE Masters gets underway next Thursday – but not before the traditional Champions dinner.

There have been some fascinating menus at the annual feast since the tradition began over 71 years ago.

Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus at the Champions dinner of the 2002 Masters TournamentGETTY

What is the Masters Champions dinner?

The tradition was started by legendary golfer Ben Hogan in 1952.

On the Tuesday night of the week of the Masters, the annual dinner will take place at Augusta.

The guest list is restricted to Green Jacket winners and Masters chairman Fred Ridley.

Whoever won the previous year’s tournament will host the iconic dinner and pick the menu.

The menus have varied over the years from fish and chips to A5 wagyu beef ribeye.

What has Jon Rahm picked for this year’s menu?

The current World No3 won last year’s Masters tournament at 12-under par.

Rahm was behind Brooks Koepka before teeing off on the final day, but the Spaniard managed to turn it around and claim his first Green Jacket by four strokes.

Here is what’s on the menu at this year’s Masters Champions dinner in honour of Jon Rahm…

To start, a selection of tapas and pintxos will be served, as well as chicken croquetas, tortillas and his grandmother’s classic lentil stew.

Fellow Green Jacket holders will then choose between a Basque ribeye steak or turbot for their main course.

And finally, for dessert, guests will have a puff pastry cake known as milhojas.

Many of the items on the menu are inspired by Rahm’s hometown of Barrika in Spain.

Who pays for the Masters Champions dinner?

2008 Masters winner Trevor Immelman revealed that the reigning champion is responsible for covering the expenses associated with the event.

The South African golfer told the Fore Play Podcast: “The defending champion does pay for the meal which is a really cool tradition.”

What has been on the menu at the Masters Champions dinner in the past?

Here are the menus of the last four Masters Champions dinners:

Scottie Scheffler, 2023:

• Appetizers: Cheeseburger Sliders (served Scottie style)/ Firecracker Shrimp with Sweet Thai Chilli and Siracha Mayo.
• Starter: Tortilla Soup – Avocado, Crispy Blue Tortilla Strips, Sour Cream, Cilantro, Lime.
• Main: Texas Ribeye Steak or Blackened Redfish served with Family Style Mac and Cheese, Jalapeno Creamed Corn, Fried Brussels Sprouts, Seasoned Fries.
• Dessert: Warm Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie with Milk and Cookies Ice Cream.

Hideki Matsuyama, 2022: 

• Appitezers: Assorted Sushi, Sashimi and Sagiri or Yakitori Chicken Skewers.
• Starter: Miso Glazed Black Cod.
• Main course: Miyazaki Wagyu, A5 Wagyu Beef Ribeye with Mixed Mushrooms & Vegetables, and Sansho Daikon Ponzu.
• Dessert: Japanese Strawberry Cheesecake or Fluffy Sponge Cake with Whipped Cream and Amaou Strawberries.

Dustin Johnson, 2021:

• Appitezers: Pigs in a Blanket and Lobster & Corn Fritters.
• Starter: Choice of garden salad or Caesar salad.
• Main course: Prime filet mignon with mashed potatoes and spring vegetables, or miso marinated sea bass.
• Dessert: Peach cobbler and apple pie with vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Tiger Woods, 2020:

• Starter: Augusta Roll of tempura shrimp, spicy tuna, avocado, eel sauce, tempura flakes, pickled ginger, wasabi and soy sauce.
• Main Course: Prime steak and chicken fajitas, grilled vegetables, refried beans, mexican rice, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, flour tortilla.
• Dessert: Classic flan, churros with chocolate sauce and sopapillas.