Texas barbecue, Tiger Woods part of Champions Dinner

An appearance by Tiger Woods and a shared love of Texas-style food highlighted the Champions Dinner on Tuesday night.

The dinner is a way for past Masters Tournament champions to share stories, jokes and the culinary selections of the previous year’s winner. The Texans in attendance were able to appreciate their connection over 2015 champion Jordan Spieth’s menu.

Spieth selected “authentic Texas barbecue,” with beef brisket, smoked half-chickens and pork ribs. It included sides such as potato salad and baked beans, along with salad, chocolate chip cookies and ice cream.

“Ben Crenshaw is like a host and does a lot of the chitchat,” 1988 Masters champion Sandy Lyle said. “Him being a fellow Texan, he was a bit upbeat on that side. It was very nice for him to see a fellow Texan win the Masters.”

Lyle said Woods didn’t go into detail about the condition of his back, which is keeping him out of the tournament, but said he told others it felt good. Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Billy Payne, who has dealt with his own back issues recently, echoed Woods’ words from the dinner.

“He looked good,” Payne said during his annual news conference. “He looked better than me. I was delighted. You know, he’s encouraged. I could tell the fire is building back up in his belly, and I suspect Tiger’s going to be back fairly quickly, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Nick Faldo said he asked Woods what he’s been doing since he’s not playing golf.

“He said he’s playing soccer,” Faldo said. “So I thought, that’s new. He’s playing soccer with his kids.”

Mark O’Meara said Woods is “very disappointed” to miss the Masters.

“He says he hasn’t been watching a lot of golf because he misses it so much,” O’Meara said. “He’s just a great competitor and has had an amazing career. We’d all like to see him get back and play, for sure, and win again, because that’s a good thing for golf.”