Ewen Murray looks back on a 2011 Masters that will go down as one of the best in its 75-year history.
A look back at Ewen Murray's summing up of last year's Masters
Sky Sports picked the right Masters for their first one - this year's edition will go down as one of the best in its 75-year history.
All of us have our own special memories of this extraordinary event and the four birdie finish of South African Charl Schwartzel will stay with us for some time. It was special in every way as it had been 50 years since fellow countryman Gary Player became the first international recipient of the green jacket.
It was a thrill, as well as a privilege, to broadcast live from Augusta and it was a wonderful bonus to have such and exciting tournament. The lead changed eight times during an electrifying final round and with six holes left, it was still any one of eight players.
The course set-up was all but perfect and it rewarded courageous golf. We already look forward to next April.
I enjoyed the company of Colin Montgomerie throughout the week both on air and off. Monty took to television like a duck to water and his enthusiasm and knowledge shone through the screen. I hope it's not too long before we share a commentary box again.
Colin still loves playing and he is right to extend his glorious career as far as possible. Your playing days are the best and I'm sure every sportsman thinks the same. He would not continue if he didn't think he could compete and like him, I believe there are some good days ahead. I wish him well for the season.
Tiger Woods has endured a pretty awful spell in his life but the signs of recovery are strong. At the weekend, Tiger's golf was close to the halcyon days of 2000 and over the last 36 holes, Woods hit 24 of 28 fairways along with 31 out of 36 greens in regulation.
Calmness
For the first time in his career, the putter betrayed him. We should not be too surprised at that as his nerve will take time to recover from the traumas he has faced, but for those who thought he may never be the same player again, his display at Augusta is certainly food for thought. The inner calmness that Tiger has always had is healing and his next win is not far away.
At the start of Sunday's broadcast, we gave a special welcome to Northern Ireland saying it was a huge day for them and the impressive young man that is Rory McIlroy. Despite a three putt at the first and a shaky par at the second, Rory knuckled down and did well to reach the turn in 37.
The 21-year-old stood on the 10th tee with a one-shot lead. The next 40 minutes was regrettable to say the least yet it could all have been so different had his tee shot at 10 not thumped against the tree and rebound back to the front door of one of Augusta's cabins. Had he missed the tree it would have been a five at worst.
His two shots into 11 were majestic as was his delightful short iron over the water at 12. The scorecard read 7-5-5 and his Masters dream was over. One must remember Rory's tender age.
He will of course be low and upset with himself for a few days, but this awful day among the Georgia pines will make him stronger and wiser. He is a mature young man and he will have learned a great deal about himself and the way to handle it all next time round.
Horrors
Even after the round he endured, he spoke eloquently to all the reporters gathered under the tree in front of Augusta's clubhouse confirming what a fine young man he is.
He said: "I just lost it out there". No excuses, just the truth.
His mind raced after the horrors of 10 and he could not get it back under control. It's not the first time it has happened and it certainly won't be the last. Like, I suspect many of you, I wanted to put my arm around him at the 18th green.
He will be back, of that I'm sure and by the time he wins his first major, Sunday will be a distant memory.
South Africa now hold two of the majors and for the first time since 1994, America's major cupboard is bare. The next time they have the chance to rectify that is in Washington DC in June.
You know by then, I think we will still be talking about the Masters we had in the second week of April.
It was some show...
