Mason Howell is 18. He's about to play Masters with 'idol' Rory McIlroy
How will 18-year-old Mason Howell navigate his first Masters and a tee time with Rory McIlroy? His Monday practice round gave us a clue.
golf.comHere’s the latest I can confirm:
- Mason Howell, an American amateur golfer from Georgia, gained wide attention in 2025 by winning the U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club, becoming the youngest champion since 2009. This victory earned him invitations to major championships the following year.[1][4][5]
- He was 18 years old at the time of the U.S. Amateur win, having been born June 28, 2007, which places him in the high school/early college age range during his breakout season.[2][3][4]
- In 2025 he also qualified for the U.S. Open at Oakmont as a 17-year-old, highlighting his rapid rise on the national scene.[4][9]
Notes and context:
- Coverage consistently highlights Howell’s youth and rapid ascent, including his U.S. Amateur triumph and U.S. Open qualification as a teenager.[9][1][4]
- Several profiles and articles from 2025–2026 summarize his background (birthplace in Thomasville, Georgia; high school achievements; early long potential) and note his verbal commitment to the University of Georgia.[3][7][2]
If you’d like, I can pull the exact ages and milestones into a concise timeline or compile a quick one-page bio with key achievements and dates. I can also fetch more recent updates if you want the very latest developments beyond early 2026.