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Rory McIlroy delighted a young fan by handing over his glove after finishing his practice round on Tuesday. The defending Masters champion has been at the iconic venue since the weekend, attending the Augusta National Women's Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt competition.

McIlroy is taking his duties as a green jacket holder very seriously indeed, even managing to win over the club's membership. The Northern Irishman further cemented his outstanding reputation with yet another gracious gesture just beside the 18th green as he departed alongside Tom McKibbin and their respective caddies.

One daring fan asked McIlroy for his glove and the 36-year-old did not hesitate for a moment, tossing the glove toward the youngster with the crowd gathered around the final hole erupting in gasps and cheers at his generous act. As the Scottish family made their way from the green, the joy was plain to see, broad smiles etched across their faces.

The mother hugged her son warmly and told Mirror US, "Pretty good!" As they hurried off along the edge of the 10th, they could barely contain their excitement about what had just taken place, keen to share the news with family and friends.

Such gestures are not uncommon among golfers, nor indeed from McIlroy himself, but it perfectly encapsulates the wonderful spirit he has shown throughout the week. After completing the career Grand Slam, he has returned to Augusta feeling completely transformed and far more at ease than on previous visits.

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Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, McIlroy said: "It feels absolutely incredible. I can't believe it was 12 months ago that I was sitting here and sort of trying to take it all in. To be able to come back and do this press conference in a green jacket, that feels pretty good.

"It's been an amazing 12 months, bringing this thing all around the world, the excitement on people's faces when they see it, the excitement that I still get putting it on.

"But just this week, I got here on Saturday, spent a little bit of time at the ANWA (Augusta National Women's Amateur), at the Drive, Chip and Putt on Sunday, got to play with my dad, which was special for both of us, on Sunday afternoon. I keep saying this, it's a dream come true. It's incredible. I really tried to embrace and enjoy every part of it."

McIlroy has never arrived at Augusta National this early ahead of the Masters. In isolation, that detail may seem trivial, yet he has been so thoroughly swept up in the whole experience that he would be perfectly happy if the major itself never got underway.

"I would have never gotten up here this early. I would have never arrived on a Saturday," he said. "I usually arrive earliest Sunday night, but probably Monday, Monday evening. I think for the past 17 years, I just could not wait for the tournament to start, and this year I wouldn't care if the tournament never started (laughter), that's sort of the difference, yeah, it's completely different.

"I feel so much more relaxed. I know that I'm going to be coming back here for a lot of years, going to enjoy the perks that the champions get here. It doesn't make me any less motivated to go out there and play well and try to win the tournament, but yeah, just more relaxed about it all."