Rory McIlroy is wearing awesome Kobe-inspired shoes at the Masters

Rory McIlroy is playing the most important round of 2016 thus far on Thursday, and he's doing so while paying tribute to Kobe Bryant.

McIlroy, a Nike athlete like Bryant, is wearing special black-and-gold shoes to honor the retiring NBA star with "4/13" written on them, which is the day of the final Lakers game -- and the last of Bryant's illustrious career.

Additionally, he's wearing a matching hat to continue the theme.

McIlroy's tribute to Bryant is all a part of Mamba Day on April 13 with several Nike athletes honoring No. 24 in the week leading up to his final game.

McIlroy is all about custom gear at Augusta this week, as he's also using a new Nike golf ball with "RM5" below the green camouflage swoosh. The five signifies McIlroy's chase for a fifth major.