What a Masters it was, and it will be a long time before I forget:

- The Tiger and Phil show on Sunday – Dueling Birdies – and the way they electrified the Augusta galleries.

- Kenny Perry applauding Angel Cabrera after the Argentine made that spectacular save of par on the first playoff hole, and then talking in an extraordinarily classy way afterwards about how the tournament slipped through his hands.

- Chad Campbell starting the tournament by birding his first five holes Thursday, and then playing his heart out the rest of the way.

- Rory McIlroy and his charming cockiness as well as his superb play.

- South Africans Trevor Immelman, Rory Sabbatini, Richard Sterne and Louis Oosthuizen all waiting for Gary Player behind the 18th green as he finished his final competitive round at Augusta, embracing the Black Knight in a show of thanks and appreciation for all he has done for South African golf – and for them.

- The way the par-three 12th bedeviled the best players in the world, time and time again - from Philly Mick’s five on Sunday to the triples Hunter Mahan and Drew Kittleson posted there earlier in the week. Even those who managed birdies and pars never seemed to be very comfortable on its tee.

- Arnold Palmer’s perfect drive to open the tournament, and his fist pump afterwards.

- The pristine weather once the tournament began, with just enough wind to keep things interesting.

- The birdies on Sunday that brought back the roars, and made for one exciting day of golf.

After Arnie hit his ceremonial first drive Thursday morning, Augusta National and Masters chairman Billy Payne urged the patrons to have fun and enjoy the week.

I sure did. And I hope you all did, too.