Sandy Lyle excited for Wagyu steak at Masters Champions Dinner as Rory McIlroy revels in Green Jacket role
1988 winner reckons newcomer at Tuesday’s traditional gathering will have a ‘lump in his throat’
Sandy Lyle believes Rory McIlroy will have a “lump in his throat” when he stands up as the defending champion to address his fellow Masters winners in the Augusta National clubhouse on Tuesday night.
McIlroy will be making his first appearance at the traditional Champions Dinner after ending his wait to claim a Green Jacket 12 months ago, becoming just the sixth career grand slam winner in the process.
Lyle, in contrast, is an old hand after being there almost every year since he created history in 1988 by becoming the first British player to win the season’s opening major in Georgia.
“He’s had the PGA Championship dinners to go to, so I think he is very aware of what goes on, though I think The Masters one is going to be a little special,” observed the 68-year-old Scot, speaking to The Scotsman in the build up to the event’s 90th edition.
“I think the lump in his throat will be there when he stands at the top of the table and looks down and sees Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and the other past winners. I’m sure he will feel nervous.
“I’ve not spoken to him much over the years, so it will be nice to speak to him on the same level. It just never gets old. I’ve done it now for nearly 40 years and you still enjoy it and I appreciate it.”
Lyle will be attending the event for the first time since bringing down the curtain on his playing career in the Masters in 2023 after 42 appearances, including 39 in a row.
“We had made flight arrangements to go out two years ago but then (wife) Jolande had an ear infection and sinus issue at the same time,” explained of his absence since then. She gets bad sinus issues and I wasn’t going to go out on my own.
“That’s why we didn’t go two years ago and then last year we just had too many commitments coming up so said, ‘nope, it’s not going to happen’. But this year is a little different.”
McIlroy’s menu is a lip-licking affair, including an appetiser that his mum Rosie serves up for him, as well as elk and a wine that he describes as “liquid gold”.
Admitting he’s excited about it, Lyle said: “I am very keen on the Wagyu beef (one of two options being served as a main course) as the cows we have at the farm in Scotland with my son are Wagyu beef. We shop at Aldi to get Wagyu beef steaks and they are very good steaks. They will be good ones, I am sure. I am also interested in the wine because I know Rory likes his wine.”
It is being claimed that the cost for McIlroy’s menu is estimated between $250-$350 per guest, which is believed to be in the same price bracket for Hideki Matsuyama’s dinner in 2022.
“We’ve had some great menus over the years,” declared Lyle. “Tiger [Woods] wasn’t quite as exciting with his cheeseburger and a milk shake, but Hideki with the Japanese menu and Vijay Singh, with all the Thai food - 13 dishes all served one after the other and seemed as though it was never ending - both served up something special for us.
“In fact, I think Vijay got the biggest round of applause that I’ve witnessed, with people saying to him, ‘if you win again this year, you are welcome to serve the same meal again (laughing).”
Wearing a kilt for the occasion, Lyle went for haggis, neeps and tatties. “I have no idea what it cost,” he admitted. “In fact, I think it’s all a bit of a myth about the player paying as I can’t remember a bill coming through for it.”
Why latest Masters gnome won’t needs his umbrella
How ironic that the Masters gnome for the 90th edition should be one with a working miniature umbrella because no rain is forecast for the entire tournament week at Augusta National.
Patrons attending the drive, chip and putt event on Sunday were piling out of the shop with the much-publicised gnome, which has become a feature of the season’s opening major.
The 2026 gnome wears a green Masters flat-brim hat, a white-and-green striped Masters polo shirt, a blue Masters vest and khaki trousers.
In one hand, he holds what seems to be a Masters-themed coffee cup while, in the other one, he is gripping a Masters umbrella. That’s not just for show because the umbrella can be removed, opened and placed back in the gnome’s hand.
By the time the locals among those patrons got home on Sunday afternoon, there would have been a need to get the umbrella opened to keep their new gnome dry out in the garden as it turned wet for a spell.
According to the official weather forecast issued by Augusta National, though, from Monday’s first practice round all the way through to the final round on Sunday, it is set to be dry.
The practice rounds will be played in breezy conditions, with an east northerly wind gusting up to 25mph on Wednesday before dropping a bit overnight.
A “cool start” is predicted for the opening circuit on Thursday, when it is set to be partly cloudy and breezy. Friday is due to be mostly sunny and warmer, with dry weather persisting into the weekend.
Ah well, at least the 2026 gnome will be protected from the sun by his Masters hat!
Rory McIlroy hails Drive, Chip & Putt event
Rory McIlroy hailed Augusta National’s Drive, Chip & Putt event as “one of the best days in golf” as he took it in for the first time on Sunday wearing a Green Jacket.
The event for juniors was being staged for the 12th time, with the host club of the Masters also having introduced the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in recent years.
“You know, I think there’s so many great initiatives that Augusta has brought to the game of golf over the last few years and to be a part of it is very cool,” said the defending champion.
“I wish Drive, Chip & Putt was around when I was a kid. The opportunity these kids have to be on this platform and to compete and come here to Augusta National and then to see the progression with people who have played in the Drive, Chip & Putt who have gone on and played in the ANWA and The Masters Tournament is very, very cool.
“Yeah, what an opportunity for these kids and then to look at the faces of the parents and see how proud they are as well, I think it’s one of the best days in golf.”
McIlroy, who was speaking before heading out for an afternoon round with his dad Gerry and Augusta members Jimmy Dunne and Mike Walrath, was also on the grounds for the final round of the ANWA on Saturday, won by Colombian Maria Jose Marin.
“It’s really nice,” he admitted of his new status at this event after finally landing the win that he had been chasing in 2011 but then having to wait until last year to claim victory.
“Look, it’s something that I had to wait a long time for. I sound like a broken record, but I made my dreams come true last year and it is a dream come true to be here on the grounds of Augusta National with the Green Jacket on and being able to watch the young women yesterday and then to come out and watch all the kids today and be a part of that.”
As McIlroy spoke, Bob MacIntyre was battling it out on the final day of the Valero Texas Open before heading east to prepare for his fourth Masters appearance.
Meanwhile, two-time winner and world No 1 Scottie Scheffler will tee up this week as a dad of two boys after a second son, Remy, was born last week.
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