But those are the people who haven't grasped the drama. Those are people, who apparently have never watched The Masters.

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If you've got problems with allergies, chances are the sheer splendor of the blossoming azaleas and magnolias during spring in Augusta, Ga. will probably be lost in the wake of a throbbing headache. But if you didn't have the opportunity to go and enjoy the great theater in person, then a walk to the television set on Sunday was as good as strolling down Magnolia Lane to the clubhouse.

There was nothing spectacular about the 8-under par 280 that earned José Maria Olazábal his second Masters title in five years. Then again, you might want to consider he sat out for 18 months before returning to the game, suffering from a misdiagnosed foot malady that prevented him from walking, let alone playing golf. He was cured when a German doctor discovered the problem was caused by a disc in his lower back.

Now, for the most part, the limp is gone and the swing tempo is back.

Garcia and Olazábal took the stage. (AP)

What would a Masters be without The Great White Shark lurking as Greg Norman almost always does? Nothing quite compares to his "foldo to Nick Faldo" in 1996, giving away a six-shot lead to Faldo in three holes, then ultimately trailing him by five. He quickly became the sympathetic favorite in 1999, for any number of reasons (losses to Faldo, Bob Tway and Larry Mize aside), including missing most of the season due to shoulder surgery.

Undaunted, he took the lead outright Sunday with a 30-foot eagle putt on No 13. His lead lasted all of three minutes before his playing partner Olazábal answered with a 25-foot birdie that stunned the throng at Augusta.

That response from Olazábal shook Norman up so bad, the Shark bogeyed the next two holes and was essentially out of the tournament ... finishing the day with a 1-over 73 and third at 5-under.

Davis Love slipped past Norman at 6-under and appeared to have a chance, but there was no shaking Olazábal, nor the golf course.

Nobody broke 70 on Sunday. The much anticipated showdown between David Duval and Tiger Woods never took shape. Woods, who set The Masters record in 1997 at 18-under, shot 75 on Sunday to finish at 1-over, while Duval did make a minor move from a 2-under 70 to finish at 3-under.

But the casualties of this elegant course were far more apparent. Ernie Els was right in the thick of things at 4-under when Sunday began only to shoot an 80 and fade into oblivion. Evidently, defending champion Mark O'Meara created bad karma with the course and the "Men of The Masters" when he made the unlikely choice of sushi for the dinner of champions.

He shot 78 the final day and finished way back in the pack at 5-over.

What makes The Masters special is simply the beauty and the old-fashioned approach of the first major of the year. The U.S. Open, PGA and Open Championship all rotate courses annually. The Masters always has and always will be played at Augusta. Each hole has a name, as do the sets of holes, all have taken on personalities of their own.

The building that became the clubhouse was built in 1854, with additions constructed in 1946, 1953 and 1962. Arnold Palmer has played in 45 consecutive Masters, with four victories to show for it. Jack Nicklaus has the most victories, with six, and also has 12 finishes in the top three and 22 in the top 10. Unfortunately, Nicklaus sat out in 1999 following hip replacement surgery.

Norman continues to be twarted by Augusta. (AP)

By the way, Horton Smith won the first "Augusta Invitational" in 1934.

Annual championships in every sport have history from which to build. But nowhere else do you see the consistency and character that is shown at Augusta every year. Nowhere else is a venue carried with such reverence. Young pros are thrilled just to get an invitation and to step on the course, let alone make the cut and earn some money in the process.

So if you have no interest in golf, and are one of the millions who are astounded at those who actually watch the sport, you aren't paying attention.

You missed a drama that is worthy of a Tony, Golden Globe and Oscar every year.

The only difference between The Masters and the winners of those awards is clear. The Masters writes, produces and directs its own script every year, and without a fuss, the stars actually change roles ... unless your name is Greg Norman.