One of Rory McIlroy’s playing partners for the first two rounds of the 2026 Masters has been confirmed.
McIlroy, 36, will be joined by 18-year-old U.S. Amateur champion Mason Howell for round one and round two of The Masters at Augusta.
The first round will take place on Thursday 9 April, with the second round on Friday 10 April.
McIlroy secured his place in history at the 2025 Masters courtesy of a playoff birdie over Justin Rose. The Northern Irishman became just the sixth player in the modern era to achieve the career Grand Slam alongside legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
Rory McIlroy
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While the full tee times for golf’s first major of the season have yet to be announced, Howell’s pairing with the World No.2 is confirmed thanks to Augusta National’s long-standing tradition of matching the U.S. Amateur champion with the defending Masters champion.
For the giant 6′ 4″ Howell, the pairing represents a full-circle moment as he recalls receiving a golf ball from McIlroy at the 2016 Tour Championship.
“I have one of his golf balls sitting in my room right now from that week,” Howell recently told GOLF Subpar hosts Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz.
“He was my favourite player growing up, so it’s amazing to be playing alongside him now.”
Howell has made waves on the amateur scene, becoming the third-youngest U.S. Amateur champion in history in 2025 and competing on the U.S. Walker Cup team just a month later.
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The American qualified for the 2026 Masters as a result of his victory at the 2025 U.S. Amateur. Howell thumped Jackson Herrington 7&6 in the final at The Olympic Club in California last August.
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Before heading to Augusta, Howell is making his third PGA Tour start this week at the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
Howell opened with a 3-over 73, notably two strokes better than five-time major winner Brooks Koepka.
Born in Thomasville, Georgia, on 28 June 2007, Howell has been immersed in golf from an early age.
Inspired by the PGA Tour as a toddler, he started competing at six and broke his first course record at 14 with a 59 at Glen Arven Country Club.
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He has also won prestigious junior tournaments, including the 2022 Future Masters and 2023 Billy Horschel Junior Championship.
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Howell is committed to joining the Georgia Bulldogs golf program in fall 2026 but will make his Masters debut first, gaining invaluable experience alongside one of the sport’s greats.
The third player in McIlroy’s opening group is still to be confirmed.
Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau
While many Masters fans would love to see McIlroy’s arch-rival Bryson DeChambeau make up the trio, Augusta typically tends to avoid early-week rivalry pairings and instead lets them play out naturally over the weekend like we saw in the final round last year.
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One thing is for certain in the first and second round of the 2026 Masters, fresh-faced amateur Howell will relish the opportunity to learn from his hero McIlroy while showcasing his burgeoning talent on the sport’s biggest stage.
The full 2026 Masters tee times will be released on Tuesday 6 April. GolfMagic will be providing live coverage, interviews, and in-depth analysis from Augusta National, so you will want to keep it locked to our website and social channels all week.
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