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Top 10 Masters food and drink pairings

db takes a look at the weird and wonderful Masters Champions Dinner food and drink pairings through the years.

From cheeseburgers & milkshakes paired with Mouton Rothschild 1975 to elk with Canadian beer, there is little that hasn’t been tried at the annual Masters Champions Dinner.

We take you through a selection of choices from golf’s biggest names as they celebrated their victories at the Augusta National Golf Club.

Tiger Woods (1998 – after 1997 victory)

Following his first Masters win over fellow American Tom Kite, a 22-year-old Tiger Woods opted for a cheeseburger, grilled chicken sandwich, french fries, strawberry and vanilla milkshakes and strawberry shortcake.

The classic comfort food offering was rather incongruously paired with Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1975 and Domaine Leflaive Batard Montrachet 1995.

Commenting on his choices, Tiger said: “Hey, it’s a part of being young, it’s what I eat.”

Adam Scott (2014 – after 2013 victory)

After his first, and at the time of writing, only Masters victory, Adam Scott opted for some traditional Aussie delicacies. He flummoxed guests with his Moreton bay bugs, specially flown over from Australia for the occasion. Similar to a lobster, Scott was impressed with the quality, commenting: “They are legitimate bugs, the real deal. I’m not going to serve up anything second rate tonight. I’ve got to go all-out to impress these guys.”

His menu included artichoke and arugula salad with grilled calamari; Australian Wagyu beef, Moreton bay bugs, spinach, onion cream, mashed potatoes and a Sherry thyme reduction, followed by strawberry and passion fruit pavlova.

The wine also tipped its hat to the Australian theme with Penfolds Yattama Chardonnay 2009 and Penfolds Grange 2005.

Danny Willett (2017 – after 2016 victory)

Defending champion Danny Willett chose a menu that reflected his heritage, tweeting a picture of his choices with ‘Champions dinner by Yorkshire.’

Mini cottage pies were followed by roast beef, yorkshire pudding and gravy, finishing with apple crumble and custard with Yorkshire tea.

Rather than a traditional pint, Danny’s wines were distinctly American: Aubert Richie Vineyard Chardonnay 2012 and Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2012.

Jordan Spieth (2016 – after 2015 victory)

Jordan’s impressive victory over Phil Mickelson and Justin Rose was topped off with a true taste of Texas.

Local greens salad was all that was needed before the ‘authentic Texas barbecue’ featuring beef brisket, smoked half chicken and pork ribs. Warm chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream finished off this indulgent meal.

California took over from Texas on the wine front with Cakebread Reserve Chardonnay 2011 and Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2010.

Mike Weir (2004 – after 2003 victory)

The first Canadian male to win a professional major championship, Mike Weir understandably chose to celebrate all things Canadian. His menu included lobster in puff pastry, wild boar and chanterelle mushroom bundles, Sockeye salmon tartare, asparagus salad, roasted rack of Wapiti elk, fried chicken, filet mignon and sautéed pompano.

All washed down with Canadian beer, of course.

Charl Schwartzel (2012 – after 2011 victory)

South African born Charl Schwartzel again went for a traditional selection starting with caesar salad, followed by a South African BBQ including marinated and grilled fillet mignon, lamb chops, chicken breast and boerewors with monkey gland sauce. Vanilla ice cream sundae brought the meal to a close.

Charl’s wines were also from his motherland: Van Lill & Visser Chenin Blanc 2010 and Anthonij Rupert Cabernet Sauvignon 2007.

Vijay Singh (2001 – after 2000 victory)

(Photo: thegolfauction.com)

After his first and only Masters victory over South African Ernie Els, Vijay Singh chose a menu that reflected his Fijan background. His food choices included seafood tom kah, chicken panang curry, baked scallops with garlic sauce, rack of lamb with yellow kari sauce, sea bass with three flavour chili sauce and steamed jasmine rice.

The wine selections, far from the usual Riesling or Gewurtztraminer, were Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1982 and Grgich Hills Chardonnay 1997.

Bernhard Langer (1994 – after 1993 victory)

(Photo: thegolfauction.com)

After his first Masters victory in 1985, Bernhard’s 1986 meal was typically German with wiener schnitzel and black forest gateau. In 1994, however, his choices had more of an American influence, beginning with roast turkey, followed by New York steak and grilled red snapper and chicken.

The wines reflected his fondness for both countries with Chateau Latour 1970 and Batard Montrachet 1988 served alongside Dr Thanish Bernkastler Doktor Kabinet 1987.

Phil Mickelson (2007 – after 2006 victory)

(Photo: thegolfauction.com)

Three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson celebrated his 2006 victory over Tim Clark with another bit of beef brisket. This was accompanied by steamed oysters, boiled shrimp and crab, southern fried chicken, glazed back ribs, hot smoked sausage and corn bread with honey butter.

Unsurprisingly, the wine on offer was also American: Kistler ‘Les Noisetiers’ Chardonnay 2004 and Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon 2000.

Sandy Lyle (1989 – after 1988 victory)

(Photo: Wiki)

Proud Scot Sandy Lyle commemorated his 1988 victory over Mark Calcavecchia with haggis, neeps and tatties, of course. He famously wore his kilt to the dinner and was amused by the reaction to the dish, telling the Augusta Chronicle: “The older guys, like [Jack] Nicklaus, had been to Scotland and knew what haggis was. But the newer ones, guys like Larry Mize, they weren’t too sure about that.”

We are unable to find a reference to the wine pairing, but a dram or two of Scotch was almost certainly on offer.

 

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