Former champion Phil Mickelson, back, helps Charl Schwartzel of South Africa with his green Masters jacket after winning the Masters golf tournament Sunday. AP Photo by Charlie RiedelAUGUSTA, Ga. - Golf - not unlike NASCAR - in effect starts its season with arguably its Super Bowl.
The Masters has come and gone, leaving behind a wake of experience, emotion and elation for the competitors, fans and patrons.
The sport's grandest event seldom disappoints, almost always delivering good on its catch phrase that the tournament does not start until the back nine on Sunday.
That memorable back nine - joyously unforgettable for Masters winner Charl Schwartzel; a forever reminder for leader-turned-onlooker Rory McIlroy - unofficially starts golf season, too.
But what do we know, golf-wise, that we did not this time last week? If Masters experience can be the ultimate teacher, what did we learn?
We know this morning that the single lasting image from the 2011 Masters will be McIlroy playing his second shot on No. 10 between two cabins, way left of the fairway. His hooked drive that caromed off a pine tree was the beginning of his end. A triple bogey later and it was anyone's Masters.
We know that Schwartzel won this tourmanet every bit as much as McIlroy lost it. The smooth South African made birdie on each of the last four holes - a Masters first, mind you - to win by two. Yes, McIlroy opened the door, but Schwartzel rushed through it.
It is becoming more and more apparent that the talent across the globe is increasing - in both numbers and degrees. There was no shortage of shot-making during the weekend, and the insane length of today's professional is mind-bending.
Plus, the flags representing the players on the leaderboard were as varied and colorful as Tiger Woods' language after a three-putt.
Which brings us to Woods. It is obvious that the longtime world's No. 1 knows Augusta National, and he knows it well. He has finished no worse than tied for sixth at the Masters since 2004.
Woods appears to be as comfortable swinging a club as he has at any point since we learned of his personal troubles almost 18 months ago. He can still strike it as well as anyone anywhere: His second-round 66 and his 31 on the front nine Sunday attest to that.
But it appears that Woods the persona has not returned. When he made his charge Sunday, Woods caused a stir among the patrons but the rest of the field barely flinched. Not that long ago, a Woods charge on Sunday would have created a freefall; this year it barely caused a stir.
We also know that Woods' time as the game's best clutch putter is long gone, and until Woods returns to being a Tiger with the blade, Woods will rarely return to the winner circle.
We know that Adam Scott returned to the conversation when discussing possible major winners in the days ahead.
Fred Couples made us remember that he's the coolest cat around, and Augusta National is the coolest cat's alley.
We know that Sergio Garcia's time as a young gun or a star on the cusp is fading. Garcia flirted with the leader board some, but his meltdown on the back nine was far from unfamiliar.
And finally, we know that McIlroy has as much talent as anyone who puts a peg in the ground. He's scary good.
We also know that until he wins a major, there will be questions whether he can win a major after Sunday.
After watching him endure the humbling Augusta National handed him and watching him answer every question about it, it sure seems it will be a matter of when rather than if for McIlroy and a major.
But until then, the lasting image from this Masters will also be our lasting image of McIlroy.
That much we do know.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com and 423-757-6273.