Rory McIlroy arrives at the season’s first Major in arguably the finest form of his career, while Jon Rahm and his contingent of LIV Golf stars prepare to mount a challenge on Augusta’s hallowed fairways.
The Masters has an allure like no other tournament, revered by fans and players in equal measure. The iconic setting, steeped in tradition, elevates this truly iconic sporting occasion to a level unmatched in golf.
Prepare for four days of unforgettable drama as one of the most exclusive fields in the sport competes for one of its most treasured prizes – the illustrious Green Jacket.
SCHEFFLER SERVES UP HIS FAVOURITES
Scottie Scheffler will serve up his second Texas-inspired menu for the prestigious Champions Dinner, held annually during Masters week.
For 2025, Scheffler has kept much of his original menu from his 2022 triumph, featuring dishes that pay homage to his Texan roots. The starters include his signature “Scottie-style” cheeseburger sliders and firecracker shrimp with sweet Thai chili and sriracha mayo.
However, he has swapped out the tortilla soup for “Papa Scheff’s meatball and ravioli bites,” a dish that may nod to his new role as a father following his 2023 Masters triumph. Ravioli also played a part in an unfortunate hand injury he sustained during the holiday season while preparing the dish, sidelining him for the start of the PGA Tour season.
The first course offers a hearty “Texas-style chili,” complete with cheddar cheese, jalapeños, and corn chips. For the main course, guests can choose between “wood-fired cowboy ribeye” or blackened redfish, accompanied by family-style sides such as macaroni and cheese, jalapeño creamed corn, soy-glazed Brussels sprouts, and chipotle-lime roasted sweet potatoes. Dessert is a warm chocolate chip skillet cookie served with vanilla bean ice cream, replacing the milk and cookies ice cream from his earlier menu.
The Champions Dinner, a tradition since 1952, has seen a variety of creative and personal menus over the decades. Ben Hogan initiated the concept, and it has since evolved into a celebration of each champion’s culinary tastes.
LESS TREES TO HIT
When the 2025 Masters Media Guide was unveiled, it made no mention of significant changes to Augusta National Golf Club’s course layout. However, questions linger about the impact of Hurricane Helene, which swept through Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas in late September, leaving widespread destruction in its wake.
Augusta, Georgia, was among the areas hit hard, with the storm causing extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and businesses.
Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley addressed the hurricane’s impact on the course during a press conference at the Latin America Amateur Championship in Argentina. “[The golf course is] in spectacular condition,” Ridley assured.
“We had minor damage to the course, the playing surfaces themselves, but we were able to get that back in shape. I don’t think you’re going to see any difference in the condition for the Masters this year.” He also confirmed that the club had lost a few trees.
While ensuring the course’s recovery was a priority, Ridley emphasised Augusta National’s broader focus on supporting the surrounding community. “Hurricane Helene was really a devastating event for the Augusta community and for a number of communities in the southeast, particularly in western North Carolina, which I know you probably read about,” Ridley said.
“What I’m the most proud of is the response of our entire organisation to that natural disaster, which is really what it was. And not only what they did to get Augusta National back in shape, but as importantly, how they pitched in with the Augusta community and really helped out because there were many, many people, many of our people were out of their homes for a number of weeks. No electricity. The community didn’t have water for a while. So, I’m just really proud of how our entire organization responded to that.”
On October 3, Augusta National announced a $5 million pledge to the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund, just days after the storm’s landfall. The contribution aimed to support recovery efforts across the region.
LANGER BIDS FAREWELL
Two-time Masters champions Bernhard Langer is preparing for an emotional farewell at Augusta National, marking the end of a remarkable career at the iconic course. His journey at the Masters includes 41 appearances, nine top-10 finishes, and an enduring legacy in the tournament’s history.
Originally, 2024 was meant to be Langer’s final outing at Augusta, but a ruptured Achilles sustained during a pickleball game just two months before the event forced him to miss his planned swansong.
Now 67, the German golf legend is set to compete one last time, an occasion he admits will be bittersweet.
“It will be very difficult,” saidLanger. “It will be emotional for me to say goodbye to the Masters as a competitor, especially with all of the family and friends I’m going to have there. I’ve got friends from Europe, Germany, and then all of my family will be there. My kids and my grandkids too.
“I’ll be teary-eyed coming up the 18th. It’s going to be a tough (emotional) one, but I’ve had my time, now it’s time for the young guys. It’s a young man’s golf course…”
Despite his injury setback, which required surgery and months of recovery, Langer returned to competitive golf in mid-2024 and continued to add to his impressive résumé.
At the PGA Tour Champions season finale, he captured his record-extending 47th title on the circuit at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, proving that his winning ways remain intact even as he bids farewell to Major Championship competition.
ANGEL CABRERA RETURNS
Angel Cabrera is set to make his return to the Masters next month after completing a 30-month prison sentence for domestic abuse.
The 2009 Masters champion was initially sentenced to two years in prison in July 2021 and faced an additional conviction for a second assault in November 2022. After his release last August, the 54-year-old Argentine golfer was cleared to compete in PGA Tour-sanctioned events in December.
Cabrera recently secured a U.S. visa, making him eligible to attend the Champions Dinner and participate in the tournament for as long as he likes as a former Green Jacket winner.
“Angel certainly is one of our great champions,” Ridley said. “As we all know, he has been unable to participate in the Masters the last couple of years due to legal issues. We’ll definitely welcome him back if he’s able to straighten out those legal issues.”
Ben Crenshaw, who organises the Champions Dinner, also shared his enthusiasm for Cabrera’s presence at the traditional gathering, marking his first appearance at the event since 2019. “I tell you what, I’m excited to see Angel,” Crenshaw said. “The focus of the dinner will be on Scottie (Scheffler, last year’s winner), but it’ll be great to have Angel back.”
IS NIEMANN THE WORLD’S BEST PLAYER?
The spotlight is firmly on Joaquín Niemann this month, with the pressure dialed up after Phil Mickelson’s bold declaration that the Chilean is currently the best player in the world.
Mickelson, never one to shy away from making headlines, was among the loudest voices applauding Niemann’s dominant victory at LIV Golf Singapore. There, Niemann delivered a clinical five-shot win over Brooks Koepka, marking his fourth career victory on the Saudi-backed circuit and his second title in just three starts.
Mickelson, who finished tied for 19th at Sentosa Golf Club, was quick to heap praise on Niemann. A post from Niemann’s team, Torque GC, on X celebrated his triumph, stating: “Joaquín Niemann has got to be a top 5 player in the world right now… Currently sits at the top of the leaderboard in Singapore for his second win of the season and fourth in LIV Golf. Vamos Joaco.” Mickelson’s response was unequivocal: “Top 5? Try No. 1.”
With such lofty endorsements, Niemann now has the opportunity to prove his mettle on one of golf’s grandest stages. He’s set to make his fifth Masters appearance this month, courtesy of a special invitation from tournament organisers. However, to validate Mickelson’s confidence, Niemann will need to improve his less-than-stellar Major Championship record.
In 23 Major starts, the 26-year-old has yet to crack the top 15 at the Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, or Open Championship. By comparison, current World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler boasts 12 top-10 finishes in 22 Major appearances, including two victories at Augusta National.
