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?