It was the night before the 2025 Masters Tournament, and Nick Faldo and Ben Crenshaw sat on a back porch for a soiree typical for this time of year around here. Small, exclusive, deep-pocketed. A fireside chat between the two Masters winners was tabbed as the highlight of the evening.

Rory McIlroy’s post-Masters victory walk as he greeted a long line of friends, family and supporters consisted of a long hug with an unexpected person.