Current:Home > MarketsMasters Champions Dinner unites LIV Golf, PGA Tour players for 'an emotional night' -Wealth Momentum Network
Masters Champions Dinner unites LIV Golf, PGA Tour players for 'an emotional night'
View
Date:2025-04-18 10:13:00
AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Champions Dinner tipped its hat to Spain on Tuesday evening.
On what would’ve been the 67th birthday of Seve Ballesteros, the table of 33 champions of the Masters Tournament welcomed its newest member – Jon Rahm – before flooding the room with memories of Augusta’s first European victor.
"It was a great night; an emotional night," said Larry Mize, the 1987 winner. "Ben (Crenshaw) made sure that tonight was all about Jon, Seve and Jackie Burke."
Rahm sat at the head of the table, side-by-side with Ben Crenshaw, marking the first time a LIV golfer played host to the dinner.
And even though the narrative of PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf remains heated to some, for one night, the sides united.
"We’re a fraternity," said Crenshaw, who emcees the annual supper.
Added Charles Coody: "It couldn’t have been more congenial. Even Tom Watson at the very end of dinner, he stood from his chair and said how happy he was to see the camaraderie within our group. It was a wonderful night."
Thirty-three past champions attended the dinner. Angel Cabrera and Sandy Lyle were the only two former champs who didn't make. According to Mize, Lyle’s wife, Jolanda, was having inner ear problems, and the 1988 Masters winner elected to remain home.
“Jolanda tried to get Sandy to come,” Mize said. “But he didn’t want to come without her.”
Crenshaw, in his Texas drawl, opened the evening by welcoming Rahm to the Masters Club; he then gifted the Spaniard an inscribed gold locket in the form of the Club emblem.
Two years ago, at the 2022 Champions Dinner, Hideki Matsuyama stunned the table by reciting a speech in English, prompting Gary Player to toast in Japanese.
When asked earlier in the week about congratulating Rahm in Spanish, Crenshaw reflected on his Austin High School diploma.
"I took French," said Crenshaw, laughing.
From there, stories immersed the room about Seve.
Bernhard Langer orated a tale about the 1983 Ryder Cup at Palm Beach Gardens when Ballesteros struck a 3-wood out of a bunker from 230 yards onto the green.
Langer told the table that from the lie Seve had, no golfer – aside from Ballesteros – would’ve cleared the lip with anything less than a six iron.
Crenshaw also mentioned the passing of 1956 Masters Champion Jackie Burke.
Burke, who shared a Champions locker with Tiger Woods, died on Jan. 19, 10 days before his 101st birthday.
"God put me down here for a long spell," Burke said on his 100th birthday.
As defending champ, Rahm selected the menu for Tuesday evening, with his spread giving homage to Spain’s Basque region.
The meal began with six options for tapas and pintxos, Spanish for starters, before offering two main courses: Chuleton a la Parrilla, a ribeye with Piquillo peppers, or Rodaballo al Pil-Pil, a fish dish with white asparagus.
José María Olazábal chose the fish. Craig Stadler ordered red meat.
Coody picked fish.
"I didn’t want to venture too far into no-man’s land," Coody said.
According to multiple past winners, similar to last year, Phil Mickelson remained quiet, and despite being close to Rahm, he elected not to give a toast.
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- A Florida Chemical Plant Has Fallen Behind in Its Pledge to Cut Emissions of a Potent Greenhouse Gas
- Security guard killed in Portland hospital shooting
- Pete Davidson Enters Rehab for Mental Health
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- New Mexico Could Be the Fourth State to Add a Green Amendment to Its Constitution, But Time Is Short
- Airline passengers could be in for a rougher ride, thanks to climate change
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Officially Move Out of Frogmore Cottage
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Twitter labels NPR's account as 'state-affiliated media,' which is untrue
Ranking
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Gallaudet University holds graduation ceremony for segregated Black deaf students and teachers
- YouTuber Adam McIntyre Reacts to Evil Colleen Ballinger's Video Addressing Miranda Sings Allegations
- Inside Clean Energy: Natural Gas Prices Are Rising. Here’s Why That Helps the Cleanest (and Dirtiest) Electricity Sources
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Hawaii's lawmakers mull imposing fees to pay for ecotourism crush
- Why Do Environmental Justice Advocates Oppose Carbon Markets? Look at California, They Say
- Titan Sub Tragedy: Presumed Human Remains and Mangled Debris Recovered From Atlantic Ocean
Recommendation
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Peter Thomas Roth Deal: Get 2 Rose Stem Cell Masks for the Price of 1
Amid Delayed Action and White House Staff Resignations, Activists Wonder What’s Next for Biden’s Environmental Agenda
New Reports Show Forests Need Far More Funding to Help the Climate, and Even Then, They Can’t Do It All
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
Gallaudet University holds graduation ceremony for segregated Black deaf students and teachers
Plan to Save North Dakota Coal Plant Faces Intense Backlash from Minnesotans Who Would Help Pay for It
Plan to Save North Dakota Coal Plant Faces Intense Backlash from Minnesotans Who Would Help Pay for It