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Golf's most exclusive gatherings are typically centred around anecdotes, laughter, and memories exchanged between former champions, but Scottie Scheffler's recent PGA Champions Dinner proceeded without the presence of the world's No. 2 player. Scheffler hosted the most recent dinner ahead of the 108th PGA Championship, but Rory McIlroy, who claimed the title in 2012 and 2014, was absent.

This follows his decision to abandon his practice round earlier that day after just three holes due to an injury complaint. The current Masters champion has been managing the problem in advance of Thursday's opening round and was amongst the few conspicuous absentees from the dinner featuring 18 former PGA champions.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were also missing as anticipated, having likewise been absent from McIlroy's Masters Champions dinner at Augusta.

Group photographs from the dinner revealed the presence of Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, and Xander Schauffele, alongside winners from various eras, before the season's second major championship formally commences.

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Scheffler acted as host this year following his Wanamaker Trophy victory by finishing five strokes clear of Harris English at Quail Hollow last season. Schauffele acknowledged that the experience of his second Champions dinner still feels fresh after his 2024 triumph.

"I'm sure Scottie will do a nice job," Schauffele said when asked about Scheffler's menu. "This is only my second one I'm going to attend. Still very new to this whole Champions Dinner thing, and it's cool to kind of get to know some of the guys a little bit better."

Schauffele revealed that veteran champions often become the centrepiece of the evening because of the tales they carry from the sport's previous eras. One story in particular left a lasting impression on him from previous dinners with Larry Nelson.

"Larry Nelson speaking about using different clubs every day of like a major championship, and different caddies and just putting it all together," Schauffele recalled. "Of course Larry's a great storyteller."

McIlroy arrives at Aronimink having completed a career Grand Slam before adding another Masters victory in 2026. McIlroy was also amongst the pre-tournament betting favourites heading into the event.

McIlroy's toe complaint does not appear sufficiently serious to jeopardise his participation in the tournament. The issue came to light after McIlroy was spotted limping during the Truist Championship.

McIlroy's omission was no snub to the world's highest-ranked golfers, as he heaped praise on Scheffler while speaking ahead of the tournament's opening. "It's his relentlessness. The comfort in which he does the same things over and over," said McIlroy.

"It's that relentless pursuit of the process and not just letting the outcome happen. I think his faith has a big part to do with how comfortable he is with doing that because he accepts whatever happens," he continued. "Whatever comes his way, he moves on."

This article first appeared on Mirror US.