Howell got McIlroy ball as kid and now joins him at Masters
Defending champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks on the 13th green during a practice round ahead of the 90th Masters (Jared C. Tilton) Rory McIlroy tossed a golf ball to a child at the 2016 Players Championship and that kid, US Amateur champion Mason Howell, will play alongside McIlroy to start the 90th Masters. Defending champion McIlroy, a 36-year-old five-time major winner from Northern Ireland, will join 18-year-old Howell from nearby Thomasville and American Cameron Young off the first tee at 10:31 a.
m. (1431 GMT) Thursday. "The incredible thing about our game is because our careers are long, so many generations overlap," McIlroy said.
"I remember playing the first two rounds of the 2010 US Open with Tom Watson. That's incredible to think about now. " McIlroy watched Tiger Woods win the 1997 Masters in record fashion and said, "I want to do that.
" Now he's the idol instead of the idolizer. "Rory was one of my idols growing up, so it'll be a super special moment for me," Howell said. "I can't ogle at his game too much.
I got to focus on myself. "I'll be super excited but at the same time I'll be super nervous -- just controlling my emotions and sticking to my game plan and just having fun. " That Nike golf ball Howell received from McIlroy spent years in Howell's room, serving as inspiration.