The Masters Championship Dinner, a revered tradition among golf’s elite, presents a unique challenge for newcomers. Amidst the camaraderie and shared stories, fitting in alongside legendary golfers can be daunting. The pressure to navigate unspoken rituals and protocols is palpable, especially for those taking the reins as host. Jon Rahm, the 2023 Masters champion, recently shared his experience hosting the exclusive dinner on the Bob Does Sports YouTube channel. With unbridled candor, Rahm revealed the nerves and nuances of his inaugural hosting stint.

He confessed, “I was very nervous, ’cause you want everybody to enjoy the meal, right?” Rahm acknowledged the immense pressure and numerous traditions surrounding the event. “There was a lot of pressure there, a lot of rituals and traditions that I wasn’t aware of,” he said. Notably, he was seated next to Mr. Craha, the dinner host, and Chairman Ridley. The evening turned out to be an enjoyable and memorable experience, with Rahm sharing stories alongside other golf legends. “It was Stevie’s 40th anniversary of his second win, then I won on Seve’s birthday when I won it, so they started sharing Seve’s stories,” Rahm recalled.

He added, “You have Alli telling stories, Bernhard Langer telling stories, Tiger and Mar telling some stories… it was a very enjoyable evening in that sense. Something that was extremely cool to be a part of, right? And to be present there was quite incredible. It’s an awesome tradition, man.” With a chuckle, Rahm concluded, “I was waiting for Reed… unless you want… I got it, just coming off that hill there, John. You know, he had to – you have to pay for the entire Master’s dinner.”

Now you might be wondering what was on Rahm’s dinner. Well, we’re not going to lie he had quite the feast.

A taste of Spain at the Masters Champions dinner

Jon Rahm, the 2023 Masters champ, brought a taste of his Spanish heritage to the annual Champions Dinner at Augusta National Golf Club. This year’s menu was a love letter to the Basque region, crafted by celebrated chef Jose Andres. The evening began with six tapas and pintxos options, followed by a first course of Ensalada de Txangurro, a delicious Basque crab salad with potato.

For the main event, Rahm’s guests chose between Chuleton a la Parrilla, a mouthwatering smoked and seared Basque ribeye steak, or Rodaballo al Pil-Pil, a fish dish featuring turbot and Navarra white asparagus. Rahm personally vetoed cod, opting for a local white fish from his hometown instead. “It’s a white fish, very local from where I come from… I don’t like cod, so I refuse to have something I don’t like at my dinner,” he joked. The evening concluded with Milhojas de Crema y Nata, a decadent puff pastry cake with custard and Chantilly cream. It was a notable departure from Tiger Woods’ infamous burgers, fries, and milkshakes.