Mason Howell's gesture to Rory McIlroy before first tee shot at the Masters is so wholesome

Mason Howell had waited almost a decade to show Rory McIlroy an old Nike ball from the 2016 Tour Championship. On Thursday, he finally got the chance to tell his idol about that special moment in Atlanta.

Howell was one of McIlroy's playing partners for the opening round at Augusta National after the 18-year-old bypassed Tiger Woods to become the third-youngest winner of the U.S. Amateur in August.

As a result, Howell received an invitation to three majors, including a tee time alongside the defending Masters champion.

"Rory was one of my idols growing up, so it'll be a super special moment for me," the teenager said ahead of Thursday's opening round at Augusta. "I can't oggle at his game too much. I got to focus on myself. It'll be fun."

Howell, who has committed to play for the University of Georgia this year, has previously met McIlroy, when he was just nine years old.

In fact, when the youngster attended the Tour Championship in Atlanta in 2016, he received a signed ball from the Irishman – a memento that has stayed in his bedroom until Thursday, when he brought it to Augusta National.

“In 2016, I was at the Tour Championship in Atlanta. Rory was playing, and on Sunday at the 4th hole, he flipped me one of his Nike golf balls," he said on the Smylie Show podcast.

“It’s got ‘Rors’ stamped on the side. I still have it in my room. I might have to play a little joke on him with that.”

According to The Athletic, Howell showed McIlroy the old Nike golf ball ahead of Thursday's opening round.

The report also claims McIlroy has enjoyed mentoring the nervy teenager. After the amateur hit a wayward drive on the opening tee, McIlroy was the first person to approach Howell and they shared a joke.

Howell and McIlroy enjoyed a number of chats at Augusta. Image credit: Getty

It was an afternoon to remember for McIlroy, who posted an opening-round 67 to share the lead. Howell, meanwhile, recorded a respectable five over par.

Before the big day, Howell competed in a practice round with Harris English.

English, a University of Georgia alumnus who shot a final-round 68 at last year's Masters, gave an insight into Howell's talent before this week's action.

"I've known Mason for a long time now. I was really excited about his win at the U.S. Amateur," said English.

"I think this is my seventh Masters, so just little stuff that I can help him with. I know his brain is spinning right now. I can't imagine what he's going through at 18 years old and playing in the Masters for the first time.

"He's getting to play with Rory for the first couple of rounds. Talked about that some. Just told him, 'Take it all in, but manage your time well. Don't get lost in everything. This is just another golf tournament.'"

English added: "We grew up at the same club, Glen Arven. I remember him as a little kid, eight or nine years old, probably. Had a good crew down there. Got a lot of good young junior golfers down there that are very competitive."