5x Major Champion Rory McIlroy to Honor Tiger Woods at Masters Champions Dinner Amid DUI Arrest Saga

Rory McIlroy will serve as the host of the 2026 Masters Champions Dinner on Tuesday after winning the green jacket in 2025.

5x Major Champion Rory McIlroy to Honor Tiger Woods at Masters Champions Dinner Amid DUI Arrest Saga

Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods (Image via PGA Tour/Imago)

Rory McIlroy will be at the center stage this week as he defends his Masters title. Ahead of the tournament, the golfer announced that he would acknowledge Tiger Woods at the Masters Champions Dinner amid his recent DUI arrest.

Woods, the former World No.1, came under the spotlight once again for all the wrong reasons. On March 27, he was involved in a rollover car crash. His Land Rover flipped over at around 2 p.m. near his residence in Jupiter, Florida.

While the American international had a negative alcohol test, he refused to take part in a urinalysis. He was later arrested and booked under charges of DUI, property damage and refusal to submit.

Last Tuesday, Woods made his first public comments following his arrest. In a statement on X, he revealed taking a break from golf and seeking treatment.

Before this arrest, Woods was preparing to make a return at the Masters Tournament. The PGA Tour star had not made an official start since the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon. He will now be absent from the Augusta National this week.

However, he is not the only high-profile name to miss the Masters Tournament this year. His longtime career rival Phil Mickelson will also not tee off this week. The “Lefty” is dealing with some personal family health matter and will not be present at the famous course in Georgia.

On Tuesday, April 7, McIlroy will host the 2026 Masters Champions Dinner. Started in 1952 by legendary golfer Ben Hogan, the Champions Dinner brings together former champions for a private meal with the menu selected by the previous winner.

In this dinner, McIlroy will honor both Woods and Mickelson. The reigning Masters Champion claimed it was “unfortunate” not to have them for his occasion.

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. They’ve been two of the greatest champions that the Masters has ever seen.

Rory McIlroy said as per Golf Channel

This will be the first time since 1994 that neither Mickelson nor Woods will play in the Masters Tournament. The duo are 2 of the 8 golfers to have won this prestigious event at least 3 times, with Woods winning the event 5 times in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2019, and Mickelson winning it 3 times in 2004, 2006 and 2010.

Rory McIlroy claims completing the grand slam was not the end of his career

Last year, Rory McIlroy finally conquered the Augusta National Golf Club and won the Masters Tournament to complete the career grand slam. Ahead of the 2026 event, the 5-time major champion claimed that winning all the 4 majors did not mean that his career was done.

Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy (Image via X/@PGATOUR)

After completing 3 legs of the grand slam in 2014, McIlroy needed to win just the Masters Tournament to complete the career grand slam. His quest to win the green jacket saw him take several bumps and suffer heartbreaks.

Following two T5 finishes in the 2018 and 2020 editions, he had to settle for a runner-up finish in the 2022 event. In 2025, he entered the final round while being the final pairing with Bryson DeChambeau.

He did not have the best of starts and slipped up a bit. However, he was able to compose himself and find a way back into contention. He did miss a close-range putt on the 18th hole which forced a playoff round with Justin Rose.

Fortune finally favored him in the playoff round. As Rose flattered, McIlroy made a birdie to clinch the green jacket and complete the career grand slam.

While speaking with Ewan Murray of The Guardian, the 36-year-old revealed that there are still some things he wants to achieve in his career.

I still want to achieve things, I still want to win things. This isn’t the end.

Rory McIlroy said

After winning the Masters Tournament, McIlroy’s form did dip a bit. He finished T47 at the PGA Championship in May and missed the cut at the RBC Canadian Open before finishing T9 at the U.S. Open. He wrapped up his major season with a T7 finish at the Open Championship in front of his home fans at Royal Portrush.

The golfer did win later on. He took down Joakim Lagergren in a dramatic playoff round to win the Irish Open.

He was later part of the European Team that won an away Ryder Cup against Team USA at the Bethpage Black Course in New York. Despite losing the DP World Tour Championship in December, he claimed his 7th Race to Dubai title, surpassing his idol Seve Ballesteros for second place.

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