Adam Scott Confirms Unwritten Masters Dinner Rule: Avoid Tiger Woods' Seat
Adam Scott has joined fellow golfers Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth in acknowledging an unwritten rule at the annual Masters Champions Dinner: you do not sit next to Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus. This tradition, part of the prestigious event hosted by the defending champion at Augusta National Golf Club, highlights the informal yet respected seating protocols among golf's elite.
The Champions Dinner Tradition
The Masters Champions Dinner, held two days before the tournament begins, brings together former winners of the major. This year, the 90th edition of the Masters starts on Thursday, with Rory McIlroy as the host. While there are no official assigned seats, certain sections are informally reserved for legends like Woods and Nicklaus, creating a unique dynamic among attendees.
Adam Scott, the 2013 Masters winner, discussed this on The Rick Shiels Golf Show, stating, "There are a few seats that are like absolutely reserved. You don't sit in Jack's seat, don't sit in Tiger's seat." He explained that other golfers tend to sit in similar spots year after year, with the host taking the head of the table only once. Scott added that he chose to sit next to his friend Trevor Immelman to avoid the pressure of finding a seat near the icons.
Scheffler and Spieth's Insights
Scottie Scheffler, a two-time Masters winner, elaborated on the seating arrangement during a press conference at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He noted that while seats aren't assigned, there is a subtle protocol. "Guys have, like, I would say, sections where they sit. But you move around a little bit. There are no necessarily assigned seats, but I'm definitely not going to sit in the area where Tiger and Jack sit," Scheffler said. He shared an anecdote about avoiding Jordan Spieth when choosing a seat, fearing Spieth would play a prank on him.
Jordan Spieth, the 2015 Masters champion, compared the experience to school seating arrangements. "It's kind of like 6th, 7th grade. If the teacher they have assigned seats you get all bummed, and if they let you sit wherever you want you end up sitting in the same spot anyways," Spieth remarked. He confirmed that a specific section is off-limits because it's reserved for Woods, Nicklaus, and formerly Arnold Palmer.
Woods' Absence and Recent Events
This year, Tiger Woods' seat will remain vacant after he announced his decision to step away from golf following a car crash. Woods was recently arrested and charged with driving under the influence after clipping a truck and rolling his car, though he has pleaded not guilty. His absence adds a somber note to the dinner, but the unwritten rules regarding his seat persist, underscoring his enduring legacy in the sport.
The Masters Champions Dinner continues to be a highlight of the golf calendar, blending camaraderie with unspoken traditions. As Adam Scott, Scottie Scheffler, and Jordan Spieth have revealed, even in an informal setting, respect for golf's greats like Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus shapes the evening's dynamics.
