Why Mason Howell playing with Rory McIlroy is 'full-circle moment' for amateur at the Masters
Here is more on why amateur golfer Mason Howell considers playing with Rory McIlroy at the 2026 Masters a "full circle moment."
Why Mason Howell playing with Rory McIlroy is 'full-circle moment' for amateur at the Masters originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Mason Howell is 18 years old and will be playing in the 2026 Masters.
He won the 2025 U. S. Amateur, which qualified him for this year's tournament.
This will be his first Masters Tournament and his first golf major on the professional circuit, despite being classified as an amateur. Howell will try to live in the moment and appreciate his first tournament, but that admittedly may be a little hard to do. The groups for the first two rounds have been released, and Howell has been paired with Rory McIlroy.
Not only is McIlroy the reigning Masters Tournament winner from last year, finally completing his career Grand Slam, but he was also Howell's favorite golfer when he was growing up. Here is more on why Howell considers his pairing with McIlroy a "full circle moment. " MORE MASTERS 2026 : Ranking the 30 best golfers in this year's Masters Odds, betting favorites, expert picks for the 2026 Masters Complete list of golfers playing in the Masters Why Rory McIlroy was Mason Howell's golf idol Howell made an appearance on the Subpar podcast, joining Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz.