Rory McIlroy's role at host of the Masters Champions Dinner has been met with glowing praise from the likes of Sir Nick Faldo, Jordan Spieth and Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley. However, one rather uncomfortable moment unfolded at golf's most exclusive dinner on Tuesday, when six-time champion Jack Nicklaus left 2008 winner Trevor Immelman nursing a sore foot.
It was all part of the evening's light-hearted atmosphere as McIlroy celebrated his extraordinary victory 12 months ago, completing the career Grand Slam. He laid on a "world-class," and notably costly, spread of food and wine, with guests passing around a driver once belonging to nine-time major champion Ben Hogan. Faldo, a three-time Masters champion, revealed that Nicklaus was in fine form throughout the evening, though the 85-year-old unwittingly planted his walking stick firmly onto Immelman's foot.
"Dear Jack's getting a bit old, and he came up with a cane, the one that's got the four claws on the bottom," said Faldo in an Instagram video.
"He doesn't realise he's put the claw on Trevor Immelman's foot and, so while he's leaning on it Trevor's going [in a pained voice]: 'Oh, how are you, Jack? How are you feeling?'. So poor Trevor's walking with a limp today."
Faldo is never shy about voicing his displeasure when the Champions Dinner fails to meet his culinary standards.
Bubba Watson received a particularly scathing verdict for his efforts in 2013 and 2015, with Faldo likening the fare to a McDonald's Happy Meal.
However, McIlroy's dinner earned nothing but admiration from the six-time major winner.
"It was very nice, the food was great," he said. "It was a really cool moment when Rory, Jack, and Gary [Player] were siphoned off for a photograph secretly.
"You know, they're the only Grand Slam winners here, so that's a very cool moment for Rory. He spoke well, of course, that was all good."
Jordan Spieth, the 2015 champion, was equally effusive in his praise.
He singled out the wagyu fillet mignon as his standout dish, adding: "The food was incredible. It's one of the best, like, dinners that we've had on the meal.
"His choices were fantastic. And there were some great stories told. Obviously, he completed the Sslam and won the Masters, which had been something that had been held over his head by others and probably himself for a long time.
"You obviously saw what it meant to him last year, and then he gets to come back and enjoy the perks of what that means when you come back as the defending champion."
Augusta National chairman Ridley was also present on the evening, remarking: "Rory was a wonderful host at last night's Masters Club Dinner.
"That evening always is a special occasion, but especially when we celebrate a first-time champion. I should say that, like his golf game, Rory's menu and wine selection were world-class."
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