MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 9, 2026

Mason Howell

Quick Quotes

Q. Mason, last October you told everyone at the Haskins Foundation luncheon about the plan with the golf ball, exchanging with Rory on the first tee. Did it go according to plan and how you hoped it would go?

MASON HOWELL: Yeah, no, I followed through on that. Rory is awesome. We had a great walk today. Yeah, that kept things light on the first tee. Also kept things light that I hit it in nine fairway off the first tee.

Q. When you watch his game up close as an 18 year old, does it seem unattainable, or when you look at how he plotted his way around the course and put up a great score does it unlock something for you?

MASON HOWELL: Yeah, I definitely could learn a lot from how he played today. When he was in trouble he took his medicine and then, you know, by that he was able to go up there and make a lot of putts.

You know, I feel like today for me I just put myself in some spots that were tough to recover from. He does a great job knowing where to miss. Yeah, there are some things I can learn going into tomorrow.

Q. What happened with your hat on the first tee box?

MASON HOWELL: Yeah, I had it come off like three times today. It's something that, I don't know, hasn't happened in a while. I mean, I was going to swing out of my shoes to see if I could cover that right bunker.

It was pretty funny.

Q. On No. 2 going up the fairway, as you were heading to your ball you and Rory seemed to be talking a bit. Do you remember what you guys were talking about there on No. 2?

MASON HOWELL: We chatted a little bit all day. You know, it was great to pick his brain a little bit. You know, just kind of asked him what does he have coming up and then how does he hit the ball so far, things like that.

Q. (No microphone.)

MASON HOWELL: No, I was just joking.

Q. What were the nerves on the first tee and did they go away once you had a nice shot into one from the nine fairway?

MASON HOWELL: I mean, I would say after I got through hole two, par, par, start, I mean, they were both super scrappy, not how I envisioned, going par, par. I was on the first tee and couldn't feel my arms. It was pretty funny.

Being able to walk off that tee -- and I didn't hit a good shot, but walking off that tee laughing with Rory, that was pretty funny.

So yeah, I got the driver cooking the rest of the round, so that will be a big confidence for tomorrow.

Q. What would you compare the scoring conditions to today? Were you surprised so many red numbers?

MASON HOWELL: I mean, I feel like, yeah, today definitely played tough. I mean, the greens are so pure and there is still some flags you can get it close.

So I mean, I got to witness it firsthand playing with Rory, how he was able to get in at 5-under. You know, just made a lot of putts and never really got himself in any trouble.

I guess that's what it takes to be the first-round leader.

Q. Second shot on one, did you have a good look at the green?

MASON HOWELL: No, I mean, I couldn't see the flagstick at all. Had a big Magnolia right in my way. Caddie did a great job getting me somehow a number from over there.

I hit pitching wedge and somehow stayed on the left side of the green. I had no idea what kind of shot I was going to have from over there.

Q. How to you bounce back from No. 4?

MASON HOWELL: Yeah, I really didn't feel like I hit -- missed my line on any of the putts. I mean, obviously the first putt I just hit it too hard, but it was moving right past the hole. Then kind of went the other way on the next one and ping-ponged it a little bit.

I know I'm a good putter so just tried to keep believing that. Was able to roll a couple nice ones in on the back nine.

Q. Is it hard balancing being a competitor but also keeping the perspective that you're a teenager playing?

MASON HOWELL: Me and my caddie had a lot of fun out there. We kept it light. You know, we had some hiccups and some unfortunate breaks, but that's golf. So we just tried it power through it. Just glad I was able to grab a couple coming in.

Q. How do you go lower tomorrow?

MASON HOWELL: I think I just hit a little bit more greens. When I get in trouble just really try to play towards the center of the green. Had a couple shots today that I felt like they were going to be pretty good that just kind of jumped a little long on me.

Yeah, I feel like I am hitting the ball great off the tee. Honestly pretty good with my irons so I feel like I'll be able to bounce back tomorrow and maybe fire a good one.

Q. Same hat tomorrow? Make a change?

MASON HOWELL: We might just tighten it up one button.