Early in the week, clouds of yellowish pollen sometimes left patrons gasping for air. But later on, it was the stellar play of a number of competitors that took their breath away. Thanks to winner Phil Mickelson and a supporting cast that included Tom Watson and Fred Couples, Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood, Anthony Kim and K.J. Choi, the 2010 Masters was a Tournament for the ages, played in superb weather on a brilliantly-conditioned golf course and in front of an appreciative gallery. And there were many fine moments to take away.

The headliner, of course, was Phil Mickelson, and we will be recounting some of the shots he hit for years to come. Like the back-to-back eagles on 13 and 14 on Saturday that induced roars so loud they shook needles from the pine trees. And then he almost jarred a wedge on No. 15. Just as awe-inspiring was the daring iron he hit off the pine straw and between the trees on Sunday to three feet on the 13th green. And he punctuated his third Masters victory with a bold 7-iron on 18 Sunday that covered the pin and settled 12 feet from the hole. Then, he calmly drained his putt for birdie and thrust his arms into the air.

To be sure, those were the biggest moments of a very big week. But there we re so many others. Sixty-year-old Tom Watson shooting 67 the first day with his son Michael on his bag, for example, and then shrugging sheepishly as if to say "Who knew?" as he walked off the 18th green. That score put him only one back of first round leader Fred Couples, whose casual cool is so endearing and whose brilliant play -- at age 50 and without socks or golf glove -- produced scads of cheers and a sixth place finish overall.

Not bad for a couple of old guys.

And speaking of old guys, I enjoyed seeing Jack Nicklaus join Arnold Palmer as Honorary Starter on Thursday. On the other end of the age spectrum, I found the 16-year-old Italian amateur Matteo Manassero to be as charming as he was bright and articulate. He not only became the youngest ever to compete in the Masters but also the only amateur this year to make the cut. Young guns, Anthony Kim and Nick Watney dazzled us all with the birdies they kept pouring in Sunday, and the seven-under 65s they both posted. The presence of Ricky Barnes and Hunter Mahan in the top ten this year also tells me youth will continue to be well served at Augusta.

Sunday was certainly a wonderful one way to conclude the tournament. But this Masters seemed special from the very beginning. The Sunday prior, I watched a goateed Tiger Woods walk to the 10th tee and crush a pair of drives, certainly signs of things to come. As the week went on, I found myself enthralled by the quiet class of K.J. Choi, who cheerfully played with Woods each round of his much-anticipated and heavily covered return, as well as his immense talent. Englishmen Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood did themselves and their country proud as they played their way to the top of the leaderboard, and played together Saturday. And I give Westwood credit for a job well done at Augusta, even though his second place finish will no doubt sting for some time to come. Kudos also to Tiger Woods for the way he managed to keep himself very much in the hunt all week even though his competitive game had been on the shelf for some five months.

Patrons buzzed about the quality leader boards throughout the week, not only for the great players that filled them but also the ways their positions kept changing. There was a palpable buzz around the1st tee Sunday with Couples, Woods and Mickelson going off successively in the last three groups, three of the game's biggest rock stars playing on the same stage. And those out on the golf course reacted boisterously whenever scores were updated. The person operating the scoreboard by the 11th green, and in full view of the grandstands behind the 12th tee, seemed to enjoy toying with our feelings. And he did so with great panache, hesitating for just a moment as he took down one score to replace it with another and then slamming the new number into place so the gallery would respond even more vigorously. Any move involving Freddie or Phil or Tiger quickly and loudly elicited reactions, and it spoke to how deeply the 2010 Masters had infected our sporting hearts.

I won't forget those feelings for a while. Or the powerful way Phil Mickelson played as he earned Green Jacket #3. Or the long, loving hug he gave his wife Amy behind the 18th green Sunday, no doubt sharing the joy of a great and uplifting win as well as some emotional relief from the stress of a year during which Mickelson's wife and mother have both battled breast cancer.

It was a great moment for a great champion, and the end of a great Tournament.

It was enough to take your breath away.