AUGUSTA, Georgia — Back in 2016, at the Players Championship, Rory McIlroy tossed a golf ball to a child in the crowd. Now, that kid, United States amateur champion Mason Howell, will play alongside McIlroy to start the 90th Masters.

Defending champion McIlroy, a 36-year-old five-time major winner from Northern Ireland, will join 18-year-old Howell from nearby Thomasville and his compatriot Cameron Young on the first tee at 10:31 am local time on Thursday.

"The incredible thing about our game is because our careers are long, so many generations overlap," McIlroy said. "I remember playing the first two rounds of the 2010 US Open with Tom Watson. That's incredible to think about now."

McIlroy watched Tiger Woods win the 1997 Masters in record fashion and said, "I want to do that." Now he's the idol instead of the idolizer.

"Rory was one of my idols growing up, so it'll be a super special moment for me," Howell said.

"I can't ogle at his game too much. I've got to focus on myself.

"I'll be super excited, but at the same time I'll be super nervous — just controlling my emotions and sticking to my game plan and just having fun."

That Nike golf ball Howell received from McIlroy spent years in Howell's room, serving as inspiration. Now it will be in his bag when he plays Augusta National alongside his hero.

"I've got his ball in my bag right now, one that he gave me in 2016," Howell said. "It says 'Rors' on the side.

"I'm going to say 'I'm going to play the first hole with the Nike', which I'm not... That would be a power move, but yeah, that's kind of the plan. Hopefully, it doesn't get back to him before Thursday."

Howell was born in 2007, just weeks before McIlroy was low amateur in his major debut at the 2007 British Open at Carnoustie at age 18.

"I just think about the time span," McIlroy said. "I've been lucky that the people I looked up to took me under their wing when I was starting off. That's the incredible thing about golf that not a lot of other sports have."

Howell, set to attend the nearby University of Georgia, stayed in the Crow's Nest, a housing area at the club for amateurs.

"Just being here at the Masters, playing in front of this many people, it's awesome," Howell said. "It's kind of a lot to handle. When Thursday comes, I know I'll be pretty nervous, but excited at the same time.

"If I keep a smile on my face, I think the rest will take care of itself."

His goal for the week is making the cut and having four "solid" rounds.

"I can't wait for it to get started, but I know when it does, it'll be gone in the blink of an eye," he said. "I wish it would honestly slow down. I'm just trying to soak it all in."

Tradition and innovation

Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley says the home of the Masters won't create fictional scripted dramas anytime soon, but would look "outside the box" to grow the sport.

And he wants distance limitation for elite-level golf balls, saying "it's time to address the issue" to "protect the integrity of what makes golf so great".

Speaking Wednesday on the eve of the 90th Masters, Ridley indicated that Augusta National hadn't considered setting any fictional shows around the famed grounds yet, in the way the NFL has embraced certain projects.

However, he recalled a 2022 viral collaboration with YouTube's Dude Perfect, but admitted the all-sports video left something to be desired.

The video, made weeks before the Masters, featured Dude Perfect using hockey sticks, baseball bats, tennis rackets, pool cues and Frisbees through Amen Corner — the famed 11th, 12th and 13th holes at Augusta National.

"A few years ago we had Dude Perfect playing Frisbee at Amen Corner. In retrospect, I like those guys, but that may not have been the best idea," Ridley said.

"But it does point out that we try things every once in a while that are a little bit non-traditional, so we'll continue to look at things.

"We're certainly willing to look outside the box every once in a while."