The image the golf world was ready for is right here with Rory McIlroy taking his spot on the head of the desk for the Masters’ annual Champions Dinner.
The Masters’ official account posted the image on Wednesday morning, revealing 33 attendees for the well-known dinner at Augusta Nationwide.
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As is custom, the champion, McIlory, sat on the entrance with Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership chairman Fred Ridley to his left, whereas two-time winner Ben Crenshaw was to his proper.
Amongst these not in attendance included Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Woods, who usually doesn’t attend when injured, pulled out of this yr once more — this time after being arrested in Florida for allegedly driving beneath the affect.
In the meantime, three-time champion Mickelson gained’t be in Augusta in any respect this yr having withdrawn attributable to an ongoing “private well being matter” inside his household.
Talking earlier than the dinner to the Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis about what message he needs to ship on the dinner, McIlroy mentioned he particularly needed to name out Woods and McIlroy.
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“I wish to acknowledge the 2 individuals who aren’t there, Tiger and Phil, who’ve gained eight inexperienced jackets between them and are two of the best champions this match has ever seen,” he mentioned.
“I wish to be certain that they’re acknowledged the suitable approach too, as a result of I might love them to be right here tonight and so they can’t for various causes.
“Hopefully they’re sooner or later however I believe it’s vital to acknowledge them.”
Final yr, 32 out of 35 residing previous champions made it to the dinner with Sandy Lyle, Vijay Singh and Woods the three lacking.
This yr, 2000 champion Singh returned, though Fuzzy Zoeller handed away late final yr.
On the menu for individuals who did attend was a spread of appetisers together with peach and ricotta flatbreads, elk sliders, rock shrimp tempura and bacon-wrapped dates with goat cheese and almonds.
For the primary course, there was yellowfin tuna carpaccio earlier than a selection of wagyu fillet mignon or seared salmon for the primary.
Friends then completed the evening with a sticky toffee pudding dessert.
“Folks maintain asking me, ‘Why didn’t you go extra Irish and I mentioned as a result of I wish to benefit from the dinner as effectively,” McIlroy joked earlier than the dinner.
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