Thirty-three of the 35 past Masters winners were in attendance for the Champions Dinner on Tuesday night.
It included everyone from 90-year-old Gary Player to the unheralded (“Who let Charl Schwartzel in here?”) to Vijay Singh and his controversial goatee.
And, of course, the only two missing were perhaps the most famous past champions with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson absent from the traditional meal.
Woods had planned to attend — even if he was not playing at Augusta — before he was arrested for a DUI on March 27.
He is reportedly in Switzerland receiving treatment for what’s believed to be an addiction to pain killers.
Mickelson’s reason for not being at his favorite major is due to a family health situation. The exact details of what the issue is remain unclear, though It kept Mickelson from playing in the first four LIV Golf events of the season before he teed it up in South Africa.
“Unfortunately, I will not play in the Masters Tournament next week and will be out for an extended period of time as my family continues to navigate a personal health matter,” Mickelson said in his announcement.
“I have great respect for Augusta National Golf Club and it is definitely the most special week of the year. I wish everyone the best of luck and will be watching.”
Rory McIlroy hosted the dinner after conquering the field last year to complete the career grand slam. It featured elk appetizers, wagyu filet mignon and some expensive wine options.
McIlroy said he would make sure that Woods and Mickelson were not forgotten on the special evening.
“Unfortunately, there will be a couple of guys that won’t be in that room, which is a shame, but I want to make sure that they’re acknowledged as well,” McIlroy said in the leadup to The Masters. “They’ve been two of the greatest champions that the Masters has ever seen. But it’s going to be a really cool night. I can’t wait. I hope everyone enjoys the dinner and enjoys everything that I’ve selected.”
Sandy Lyle and Singh returned Tuesday night after missing the dinner last year when it was hosted by Scottie Scheffler for a second time.
The 1979 champion Fuzzy Zoeller passed away in November.
