Sir Nick Faldo shared some insight into the much talked about Masters Champions Dinner.
This edition of the traditional pre-tournament meal saw six rebels from the controversial LIV Golf circuit in attendance as the players enjoyed food from a menu curated by defending champion Scottie Scheffler. Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson, Charl Schwartzel, Bubba Watson and Sergio Garcia featured in the customary photo uploaded to social media.
Many expected some fireworks due to last year's defect to LIV Golf and the ongoing feud with the PGA Tour. But Faldo, winner of three Masters crowns, was quick to dismiss talk of any potential drama.
“I’m sure you’re all wondering about the temperature in the room, it was all calm and cool. Only the tortilla soup was spicy hot!,” the 65-year-old tweeted. Echoing his sentiments, 1979 winner Fuzzy Zoeller added: “We’re just 33 past champions in a room, all trying to get along. Nobody said a word about it. Phil sat near the end of the table and kept to himself. He didn’t speak at all.”
Staying true to his Texan upbringing, world No. 1 Scheffler opted for a traditional Southern-style banquet. To kick things off, the American chose appetisers - his ‘Scottie-Style’ spin on cheeseburger sliders, along with firecracker shrimp with sweet Thai chilli and sriracha mayo.
The esteemed guests then enjoyed tortilla soup with avocado, crispy blue tortilla strips, sour cream, coriander and lime as the first course. For the main event, the champions were able to choose from the popular Texas Ribeye Steak or the Blackened Redfish, with enticing sides of 'family-style' mac and cheese, jalapeno creamed corn, fried brussels sprouts and seasoned fries.
As if that wasn’t enough, Scheffler rounded things off with a classic all-American choice of a warm chocolate chip skillet cookie for dessert, served with milk and cookies-flavoured ice cream. When asked how the food was, 1973 victor Tommy Aaron said, “The ribeye was fantastic, but the tortilla soup was spicy as hell,” while Zoella added: “That soup was pretty damn spicy, but I enjoyed everything else.”
Scheffler is certain he will not treat the Masters differently to any other title defence, as he bids to become just the fourth player to win two successive Green Jackets. "Just because it's The Masters and it is what it is, and it's such a special tournament that I think we build it up so much in our heads," he said in his pre-tournament press conference.
"When the tournament starts on Thursday, everybody starts even par. Just because you're defending doesn't mean I get to start at one under. I'll be approaching it just like I do a lot of other tournaments. Legacy at the end of this is not really why I play.
"With that being said, any time you can get mentioned in the same breath as a Tiger and a Jack and a Nick Faldo is really special, but it's not a motivating factor for me to come out here and play. It's so special and cool when it happens, but it doesn't motivate me out here. I'm just trying to come out here and do my best and play good golf and have fun.”
