“He was very thankful” – Sergio Garcia on Rory McIlroy’s heartfelt Masters speech

Sergio Garcia has revealed how Rory McIlroy delivered a “really nice” and heartfelt speech at The Masters Champions Dinner on Tuesday night.

Speaking exclusively to GolfMagic after attending the dinner, Garcia praised the menu, atmosphere and McIlroy’s words as the reigning champion hosted the annual gathering at Augusta National Golf Club. 

The Champions Dinner, first introduced by Ben Hogan in 1952, remains one of golf's most exclusive traditions, bringing together past champions of The Masters in a private setting.

McIlroy, 36, hosted this year’s dinner after completing the career Grand Slam with a dramatic playoff victory over Justin Rose in 2025 — his first Masters title and fifth major. 

According to record Ryder Cup points scorer Garcia, 46, the world number two used his speech to reflect on the significance of joining golf’s most exclusive clubs.

“Rory did a really nice speech, he acknowledged everyone and he was very thankful,” Garcia told GolfMagic.

“He told us how much it meant to him to be part of, not only winning the career Grand Slam, but to be part of the winners of The Masters. It was cool.”

Garcia, who won The Masters in 2017, added that McIlroy made a point of recognising fellow champions in the room, even referencing memorable shots from players such as Garcia himself, Charl Schwartzel, Adam Scott and Jon Rahm.

Despite the absence of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson — the first time both have missed the event together since 1994 — the dinner still featured an array of legends.

Among past champions present in the room, they were none bigger than Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson, who will once again act as Masters Honorary Starters for Thursday's first round.

Other champions in attendance included the likes of Sir Nick Faldo, Fred Couples, Vijay Singh, Jose Maria Olazabal, Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Hideki Matsuyama, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth.

McIlroy, who was groomsman at Garcia's wedding in 2017, also addressed the absence of Woods during his speech. 

McIlroy’s menu — reportedly the most expensive in the dinner’s history at $318 per head — combined personal favourites with crowd-pleasers.

The grand slam champion joked on the eve of his dinner as to why he steered away from a traditional Irish menu.

“People keep asking me why I didn’t go more Irish,” McIlroy said, smiling. “And I say because I want to enjoy the dinner as well.”

Guests were served starters including peach and ricotta flatbread, bacon-wrapped dates (inspired by McIlroy's mother Rosie), rock shrimp tempura and elk sliders, followed by a first course of yellowfin tuna carpaccio with foie gras.

For the main course, diners chose between wagyu filet mignon and seared salmon, before finishing with sticky toffee pudding.

Garcia was also full of praise for McIlroy's choice of food and the overall evening. 

“Dinner was nice, the menu was really nice,” Garcia told GolfMagic. 

“The starters were tasty, the steak was really nice, the sticky toffee pudding was nice, and the wine was amazing. 

“We had a good time — it was a good night.”

McIlroy now turns his attention to becoming the first player since Woods in 2002 to successfully defend The Masters, as he chases a second green jacket and sixth major crown. 

Garcia, the 2017 champion, will also be aiming to add a second Masters title to his name.