Current:Home > ScamsMasters Champions Dinner unites LIV Golf, PGA Tour players for 'an emotional night' -Edge Finance Strategies
Masters Champions Dinner unites LIV Golf, PGA Tour players for 'an emotional night'
View
Date:2025-04-15 16:07:57
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! (14352)
Related
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- When to take your Christmas tree down, and how to dispose of it
- Come and Get a Look at Selena Gomez's Photos of Her Date With Benny Blanco
- More states extend health coverage to immigrants even as issue inflames GOP
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Stigma against gay men could worsen Congo’s biggest mpox outbreak, scientists warn
- Column: The Newby Awards sends out an invitation to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
- Third mistrial is declared in Nebraska double murder case, but prosecutors vow to try man again
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- 15-year-old surfer dies in South Australia state’s third fatal shark attack since May
Ranking
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Family’s deaths in wealthy Massachusetts town likely related to domestic violence, police say
- Dancing With the Stars’ Britt Stewart and Daniel Durant Are Engaged: See Her Ring
- As tree species face decline, ‘assisted migration’ gains popularity in Pacific Northwest
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Two California girls dead after house fire sparked by Christmas tree
- Independent lawyers begin prosecuting cases of sexual assault and other crimes in the US military
- Russia unleashes one of the year’s biggest aerial barrages against Ukrainian targets
Recommendation
Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
Independent lawyers begin prosecuting cases of sexual assault and other crimes in the US military
When to take your Christmas tree down, and how to dispose of it
Matthew McConaughey Shares Rare Photo of Son Livingston in 11th Birthday Tribute
Intellectuals vs. The Internet
Tribes guard the Klamath River's fish, water and lands as restoration begins at last
ESPN Anchor Laura Rutledge Offers Update After 7-Month-Old Son Jack Was Airlifted to Hospital
Texas police release new footage in murder investigation of pregnant woman, boyfriend