Masters tee instances REVEALED: Scottie Scheffler paired with British fan favourite as Rory McIlroy is joined by unknown novice at Augusta
Defending Masters champion Rory McIlroy will be joined by unknown American amateur Mason Howell for the first two rounds of this year’s tournament at Augusta National.
The tee times for Thursday and Friday’s rounds have now been confirmed, with McIlroy set to tee it up with the 18-year-old, as well as fellow superstar Cameron Young – who is still chasing his first major title.
Howell is making waves in amateur golf, having qualified for the 2026 Masters after winning the U.S. Amateur in August 2025, clinching the title with a dominant 7&6 victory over Jackson Herrington in the final at The Olympic Club.
The high school senior – who has yet to play collegiate golf but is committed to joining the Georgia Bulldogs this September – became the third-youngest U.S. Amateur champion in history with that win.
It is a long-standing tradition of the Masters that the reigning champion is paired up with the amateur title-holder.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre finds himself sandwiched in a star-studded late-early group alongside two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler and former US Open champion Gary Woodland.
More to follow…
