By becoming the 2025 US Amateur champion, Mason Howell booked his place at the 2025 Masters, US Open, and Open Championship.
18-year-old Mason Howell is set for the season of his life. He played in the US Open at Oakmont last season, but now Howell is about to play in the three most prestigious tournaments in golf.
There have been some stellar amateur performances in major championships over the years. Think back to Sam Bennett in 2023, who finished T16 at The Masters with a 74 final round in the rain. But this is also an opportunity for up-and-coming players to play alongside the best in the game.
Playing alongside Tiger Woods at The Masters was a career-shaping moment for Neal Shipley, who just recently secured his PGA Tour card for 2026. And Howell is likely to be grouped with his golfing hero at Augusta National, reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy is a childhood hero for Howell, and he has a joke lined up for the career grand slam winner if they play together in 2026.
Mason Howell has a joke planned for childhood hero Rory McIlroy at The Masters
As the 2025 Green Jacket winner, McIlroy is likely to be grouped alongside the US Amateur champion. That’s somewhat of a dream for Howell.
Speaking on The Smylie Show, Howell reflected on an interaction he had with McIlroy nine years ago.
He was asked how he is feeling about playing in The Masters next year, and said, “I’m super pumped. Not sure how many times I’m going to be able to play it before, but I’m going to try to play it as many times as I can.
“I’m super grateful for that opportunity, and to play in another US Open, it’s going to be super special. I kind of know what to expect now.
“I think we’ll be paired with Rory if they keep the trend up. Actually, in the Tour Championship in 2016 in Atlanta, I went as a fan, and on Sunday, on hole four, he flipped me one of his Nike golf balls, and it says ‘Rors’ on the side.
“I still have it in my room. I kept it, and I might have to play a little joke on him.”
Howell didn’t say quite what the joke will be, but we’ll be waiting in eager anticipation for it as the group arrives on the opening tee box!
How Mason Howell performed at the 2025 US Open
While it will be Howell’s first experience of Augusta National, he’s no stranger to major championships. Howell qualified for the 2025 US Open by posting back-to-back rounds of 63 at his final qualifier.
He couldn’t have faced a tougher test. Oakmont presented one of the most difficult major championships of all time, with only the US Open winner, JJ Spaun, finishing under par.
The then 17-year-old shot 13 over, which was better than Shane Lowry and one back from Justin Thomas. It was an event in which Tommy Fleetwood and Bryson DeChambeau missed the cut, so there was no shame at all in his performance!
Howell shot a 77 in round one and went one better in round two for a 76.
Having been thrown in the deep end, Howell will be ready for whatever Augusta National has to throw at him.
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