Q. Mason, those two rounds, how was that experience?
MASON HOWELL: I couldn't have asked for a better two days. Obviously I wish I played a little bit better, but playing alongside Rory and Cam and kind of see the show that they put on, that's something I'll remember forever and something I can go home and learn off of and just push myself to work even harder.
Q. What's it like being in that arena when Rory is birdieing each of his last four holes and running away from this?
MASON HOWELL: Yeah, I mean, people -- you got to stay in your own lane, but it's hard not to watch that. That chip-in on 17 was unreal. That was one of the coolest things I've seen in sports, and I got to witness it in person, so that was awesome.
I mean, I felt like I hit it okay today. Just couldn't get anything to go. Kind of the story of the last two days. But it was a great experience.
Q. What did you feel like you learned from watching Rory McIlroy the last two days?
MASON HOWELL: Yeah, I mean, he bandages his game really well. He has like a six-shot lead, I think. So that's crazy. He just knows where to miss it around here.
I mean, now he has all the weight off his shoulders. He's playing so carefree, and I'll be shocked if he doesn't get it done this weekend.
Q. Did you have much interaction with him?
MASON HOWELL: Yeah, we chatted a decent amount, and he's such a nice guy. Yeah, I mean, that was such a special moment for me to play with my idol. I mean, yeah, other than making the cut for me, that was everything I dreamed it would be.
Q. What's something he does that you feel you need to really improve on?
MASON HOWELL: I mean, yeah, he putts it so well. I mean, he knows this place like the back of his hand. I mean, but obviously he's doing everything well right now. You know, today whenever he hit a couple of squirrely drives, he would get it right back into play and hit it up there and make a putt. Yeah, it was fun to watch.
Q. How long into that match at the U.S. Am did you realize that you were playing for the right to play with Rory at the Masters?
MASON HOWELL: I mean, I would say right after the semifinal match I kind of knew what was at stake the finals match. Definitely made the semifinal match, just making it to the Finals a little more nerve-wracking.
Then, you know, once I kind of got in cruise control in the Finals, I got to realize what I had the opportunity to do.
Q. He talked so much a few years ago about trying to play like a kid again, because when guys become stars they kind of lose that innocence. You're still in that zone. How much is it a reminder to never try to lose that?
MASON HOWELL: Yeah, I mean, I had a blast out there the last two days. I tried not to show too many highs and too many lows, but yeah, I mean, I don't want to change a thing about how I feel about this game.
I mean, I know for these guys it's a job right now, and that's what I want it to be for me in the future, but as long as you keep enjoying it, keeping a smile on your face and keep moving forward, that's how I want it to be for me in the future where.
Q. What are your plans this summer as you look to try to stay on that Walker Cup team?
MASON HOWELL: I'm going to play a lot of the lead Am events and a couple of majors over the summer. I have a busy schedule. Yeah, just going to try to play some good golf, and hopefully make that squad this year.
Q. What's the coolest part of the amateur experience in this event?
MASON HOWELL: Monday night staying in the Crow's Nest, that was awesome. Then being the U.S. Amateur champion, to get a pairing like that the last two days, that was really special. Yeah, I mean, both those guys were just so much fun to watch.
Q. Were you nervous at all about playing with them?
MASON HOWELL: I mean, I wouldn't say going into it I was nervous, but I was when I was on the first tee yesterday. I couldn't feel my arms and hit it in nine fairway.
No, I mean, as we went throughout the day, I was just trying to stay in any own lane and keep up, I guess.
Q. What was the best shot you hit these two days?
MASON HOWELL: Probably today on 12 I hit it to about 6 inches, I think. I thought it maybe took a peek. I'll be interested to see on replay, but yeah, that was probably the shot of the two days.
Q. The ball you threw to the two little boys on the 4 tee box, did you know those are Brookwood kids?
MASON HOWELL: Yeah.
Q. So you recognized them immediately?
MASON HOWELL: Yes, sir.
Q. Given how much we made about the Rory ball, to be in that position...
MASON HOWELL: Yeah, no, absolutely. I feel like why put a golf ball to waste when you can make a little kid smile, and that puts a smile on your face.
Q. What did Rory say to you on the 18th green? He seemed to share a nice moment.
MASON HOWELL: Rory was awesome. He said, I hope to see you down the line. We'll play some practice rounds coming up. So couldn't have been more thankful to be paired with Rory this week and how much I learned from his game.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports