Even people who don't like golf can appreciate the sublime beauty of Augusta National. And, at least for me, there's not another sporting event in the world that matches the majesty and excitement of the Masters.

The images of this tournament stick to the memory synapses like no other: Phil Mickelson punctuating his first major in '04 with a dorky jump after making birdie on 18; Tiger's ball hanging on the edge of the cup like a divinely inspired Nike commercial before tumbling in for a mind blowing chip-in birdie on the 16th hole in '05, the Golden Bear raising his putter for eagle in his remarkable '86 win; Ben Crenshaw's emotional win in '95 just four days after burying his mentor Harvey Penick; Larry Mize's unbelievable chip in on the second playoff hole in '87 to defeat Greg Norman.

And, of course, Greg Norman's final round collapse in 1996, which ranks as the most infamous choke in major golf history. Norman blew a six-shot lead and lost to Nick Faldo by five strokes. The back nine of his final round 78 was like watching a car wreck that lasted 3 hours: excruciating and yet absolutely mesmerizing at the same time. (UPDATE: Time has a cool feature chronicling the Top 10 Masters Meltdowns)

Who knows what this year will hold? The answer to that question is exactly why, God and wife permitting, I'll be glued to the television for roughly 12 hours this weekend in a state of total bliss. In the meantime, you can stay up on the leaderboard and all the Masters chatter over at RealClearSports.