Many millions of people watched superb athletes do battle in Augusta over the weekend. Yes, a sure statement that spring has sprung. How beautiful are the azaleas on the 18 holes of the meticulously groomed golf course in Georgia?

About a hundred of the top-ranked golfers in the world came together to walk on the fairways and the pine straw and over the famous bridges.

As NOTL’s Bill Garriock said in the library the day after Rory McIlroy had finally completed his Career Grand Slam, “Everyone involved knows the rules and the expectations.” And everyone meets the expectations — both players and spectators, who are all treated as guests of the Augusta National Golf Club.

Acceptable apparel, no mobile telephones, the players don’t fight, and nobody argues with the rules officials. A common query among golf fans is, “Have you ever been to the Masters?” Every single time I have asked that question, I feel so fortunate, as I quietly reply, “Twice.”

Last week was the 89th playing of the Masters. Has there ever been a final day with more drama, more class, and more great and bad shotmaking? Rare double bogeys were not so rare, and emotional swings became almost too much for both spectators on the course and those of us watching on television to handle.

McIlroy is now the first player in Masters history to win the tournament after carding four double bogeys. A few times, he appeared to be stumbling his way to victory. He had surrendered the solo lead by mismanaging a double bogey on the first hole of the fourth and final round.

One of the many reasons so many of us love to play and watch golf is that we can all do just what the professionals do.

Whether sinking a long and double-snaking 80’’ putt, or watching a pressure-packed easy wedge shot disappear into a water hazard, or watching a tee shot drop into the hole for a hole in one, each golfer just might do it.

We can’t hit a 90-mile-per-hour fastball or a major league curveball, or kick a 55-yard field goal, but we can make and miss shots just like the professional golfers.

So, we can get dressed up like real golfers and then live vicariously on carefully maintained golf courses around the world. Almost always with people who are polite and out for a pleasant few hours.

Now, rambling to last weekend’s final round in Augusta. Even for a somewhat casual golf fan like me, there were such diverse personalities trying to withstand the pressure. A few are a bit cocky for my liking, and a few seem almost devoid of personality.

As an inveterate suggester of changing the traditions if a game can be improved, may I ask when professional golfers will start having their names or a number printed on the back of their golf shirts? Almost all other sports make it easier to watch by including names, so why not golf? I know, I know, tradition.

It was former Canadian prime minister Jean Chrétien who once said, after being accused of not respecting tradition, “I have such respect for tradition that I want to start a new one today.”

Back suddenly to Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy at the Masters last week. Two superb and classy athletes from the United Kingdom, who have been on the same Ryder Cup teams several times. Not at all flashy, but both long-time denizens of leader boards around the golfing world. Their respect for each other on Sunday was palpable.

They both had the lead a few times, and they both lost the lead a few times. Only one of them was eventually going to win this excruciatingly exciting Masters. Both of them, with no coaches to turn to for encouragement or advice, stoic under the pressure.

They both made gaffes while playing the final round, but they also both made shots under levels of pressure that we mere mortals will thankfully never experience.

Watching the last couple of hours of the Masters last week made me glad to be a fan of the game of golf.

To my good fortune, I have played enough to appreciate the game. The raw and individual emotions, the loneliness, the need to emotionally navigate such lows and highs, all by yourself out there.

Could even one of the millions of people watching Rory McIlroy after his Masters win not have felt good about the outcome?

The Green Jacket looks good on him.