It will surely warm up soon and Spring will be upon us. That means only one thing in a golfer's world, The Masters Tournament from the Augusta National course in Georgia.
In 1980 we saw the arrival from Spain of Severiano Ballesteros Sota with a swashbuckling style that he was to patent; it was a new beginning for European golf. Two wins in four years would sit nicely alongside his three Claret Jugs.
Many will remember the '86 version when Jack Nicklaus at 46 years of age staged one final heroic effort to win his sixth Masters. I can still hear the roars today as he birdied the 10th, 11th, and 13th before an eagle at 15. And I can still see him walking up the 72nd hole with his son Steve by his side and two-putting from long range to set the target - a target Tom Kite and Greg Norman would just fail to match.
Memorable
In 1988, our own Sandy Lyle triumphed after a superb seven iron bunker shot at 18. For those who saw it they will remember the "jig" on the final green as Sandy added the Masters to the Open won at Royal St. George's three years earlier.
Nick Faldo would enjoy his considerable success in the years ahead and Welshman Ian Woosnam, Germany's Bernhard Langer and Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal continued to give Europe much to cheer.
Nick's last win will be remembered more for the collapse of Greg Norman. Six shots ahead through 54 holes, one golfing disaster after another saw Norman's chances ebb slowly away. To this day, no Australian has won at Augusta.
My most memorable moment was at the 2005 Masters when Tiger Woods played the most outrageous chip from behind the 16th green. Tiger had produced amazing shots to win several tournaments, but that day, he surpassed all that had gone on before. It was as if the world stopped for a second or two as the Nike swoosh on his ball revealed itself, seemed to smile, then theatrically disappeared.
To this day, it is the loudest roar I have heard on a golf course. It's a shot I never tire of watching, a shot of sheer genius on the biggest and most beautiful stage.
Other Masters memories will be Fred Couples' ball somehow defying gravity at the 12th, Mickelson's shot at 13 from the trees and the Larry Mize chip-in to thwart, yet again, Norman.
You will of course have your own special moments and when they happen at this tournament, you never forget them.
Perfect
And so to this year. Tiger is back in a position he is familiar with and I'm genuinely happy for him. We all make mistakes in life and, as I said a few years back, everyone deserves a second chance. Woods has taken that chance with both hands and now healthy, with his nerves repaired, he is once again thrilling us with his game.
Rory has had blips before and when doubted he is at his most dangerous. His wins in the Nation's Capital and Kiawah Island came after quiet spells. Rest assured, he won't be quiet for long.
These two set up the year's first major perfectly.
Europe have not had a winner since Olazabal's victory in 1999, so here's hoping our boys put up a good show in April.
The
Sky Sports team will bring you five days live from The Masters, beginning with the Par Three competition on the Wednesday.
As always Butch Harmon, whose father Claude won the 1948 Masters, will be alongside me. Butch has the enthusiasm of a teenager and an in-depth knowledge and respect for what Augusta stands for.
Not that you needed it, but I hope these few words and memories have further whetted your appetite for the greatest golfing show on Earth.
So here's to the azaleas, the dogwoods, the immaculate fairways and greens of Augusta and the roars that follow excellence from the games finest players.
From highly-privileged positions, we look forward to bringing you The Masters.
