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The first major tournament of 2010, The Masters, is now in the books. Phil Mickleson won an exciting tussle with Lee Westwood that was never over until Westwood missed his birdie putt on 18. When Lee did miss, Phil had three putts from fifteen feet to win and, as if to put an exclamation mark behind a very popular win, used only one.

For most of the day, Tiger remained a factor. However, far too many mistakes negated the couple of eagles he made and, as the round wore on, it looked increasingly unlikely that Tiger would pull off an extraordinary victory.

Anthony Kim, with a last round 65, posted 12 under early and, in so doing, drew a line in the sand as to how many mistakes the leaders would be allowed. 12 under was never likely to win but one never knows, especially with Phil. Rae's Creek has destroyed many a golfer's dream, and water on 15 and 16 always looms large in players' minds.

When Phil birdied 12, 13 and 15, it seemed all that he had to do was keep walking to the clubhouse and the green jacket would be his.

That's exactly what Kenny Perry thought in 2009 and it is a most dangerous thought to allow into one's mind.

To quote Tiger, one must finish the race and, on Sunday, Phil did that in style.

The Masters is perhaps the best of the four majors. The setting is just about perfect, the course always seems to provide drama, and the players all want to win the coveted green jacket. Almost every year we are treated to great moments, not just in the golf that is played, but also in the events that take place.

This year, Arnold Palmer, now 80 years old, and Jack Nicklaus, 70, were the honorary starters, hitting the first tee shots on Thursday to signal the start of the event.

It wasn't so long ago that these two gentlemen were the main stars of the Masters, the ones to beat in order to win a green jacket. Their new role as honorary starters reminds us that life travels full circle for each and every one of us, and that the circle is travelled very quickly indeed.

Anthony Kim, 24, and Matteo Manassero, 16, shows us that there will always be rising stars ready, willing and able to carry the torch forward. Fred Couples, 50, and Tom Watson, 60, shows us that we should always have reason to believe, and Lee Westwood and Phil Mickelson showed us that we can be gracious in defeat and humble in victory.

As for Tiger, well, he told us he came to win a tournament and was disappointed when he could only manage a tie for fourth. In light of all that has happened, summing up his first week back as if nothing had happened, showed me that Tiger does indeed live in his own little world.

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