I DON'T think that I am the only golf fan who is still recovering from the weekend; the late nights and lack of sleep were worth it as Augusta National and the Masters tournament once again delivered on every level with another simply stunning Sunday afternoon.
Last week I wrote about some of the Masters memories that live with us from days gone by; the class of 2011 have given us all a fresh new supply to keep us going, at least until next year.
The 2011 Masters will surely go down as one of the best ever.
Seven players had at least a share of the lead during a thrilling afternoon, but it was Charl Schwartzel who emerged from the duelling pack to claim the green jacket and his maiden major title. A sizzling 66 in the Georgia heat was enough for a two-shot victory.
It was a day with so many twists and turns that at times it was hard to keep up.
Schwartzel birdied the last four holes to grab the lead from Australians Adam Scott and Jason Day, making a 20-foot birdie putt at the last to close out the win. He started the day four shots behind leader Rory McIlroy alongside Korean KJ Choi, Argentinian former champion Angel Cabrera, Scott and Day, but made the most incredible start.
After missing the green with a poor second shot, he chipped in for a birdie and then holed his second shot at the third from 120 yards for an eagle. When things like that are happening you could be forgiven to start thinking that this might be your day.
He was becalmed for a long stretch after that - making bogey at four and then 10 straight pars - as Scott took control, the Australian going two shots clear when he fired his tee shot at 16 to within two feet and tapped in for birdie.
But it was that birdie streak from 15 which won the tournament for Schwartzel - particularly a 10-footer at 17 - as he became the third South African to put on a green jacket after Gary Player and Trevor Immelman.
Schwartzel was inspired on Sunday, but as many have found in the past, for all its glory, tradition and splendour, Augusta can be the cruellest of places too. McIlroy started the day with a four-shot cushion after leading the tournament ever since Thursday afternoon. He still held the lead - albeit just by a shot - after nine holes despite missing a four-foot par putt at the first, then a five-footer at the fifth.
The Northern Irishman made a birdie with a 15-foot putt from the fringe at seven and looked to have steadied the ship, but then his round disintegrated from the 10th. He carved his tee shot so far left it was off the golf course, hit a tree with his fourth shot from left of the green and ended up taking seven. His challenge was over when he three-putted the 11th and worse was to follow at 12 as he four-putted from 12 feet for a double bogey that dropped him back to seven-under.
At times it was difficult to watch and you could feel the pain he was going through as his game fell apart; after being the man to beat for 63 holes he eventually toiled in with an 80.
With McIlroy crumbling, the tournament was suddenly wide open and Cabrera, Choi, Bo Van Pelt, Geoff Ogilvy and Luke Donald all looked possible winners as the day wore on.
But it was Tiger Woods who lit the fuse which must have played a part in lighting up the performances of those around him. Woods produced an incredible charge to get into a tie for the lead after his opening nine holes, but his putter ultimately let him down.
The four-time champion was out in five-under 31 after four birdies and an eagle at eight got him within one shot of then-leader McIlroy. When he rolled in a 15-foot par putt at nine to get into a share of the lead, the Tiger of old looked to have rejoined us.
But the flat stick - once his weapon of choice on his way to 14 major titles - suddenly misfired. Shots were left out there and a ultimately frustrated Woods set a target of ten-under after a 67, that never looked quite enough.
He was quickly joined on that mark by former US Open champion Ogilvy, who had an incredible run of five straight birdies on the back nine on his way to a 67. Donald hit the flag stick at 18 and rolled off the green but then chipped in for a 69 to join the clubhouse leaders at 10-under.
Three back-nine birdies from Scott and four from Day made that mark immaterial, although it was Schwartzel's incredible birdie-streak over the last four holes which ultimately denied Australia a first green jacket.
So, that's the Masters for another year; the 75th playing will be remembered for many reasons and differently by all. The greatest day of his golfing life for Schwartzel was the day that could have been for so many.
It could signal the re-emergence of the great Woods, and McIlroy will dust himself down and learn from his experience, harsh though it may be.
One thing is for sure, they will all be back next year, as will everyone who watched it around the world.
