The Masters: A tradition unlike any other

POSTED BY STUART LEVINE

Sometimes, on rare occasion, the hype is true.

"A tradition unlike any other" … so says the CBS marketing team about the Masters for the past few decades. The message is drummed into our heads in categorizing the bigger-than-life golf tournament that runs April 10-13 from the hallowed grounds in Augusta, Ga.

But guess what? It's no lie. There's nothing quite like the Masters. For me, the Masters is always the year's greatest sporting event. This weekend's Final Four is great, the Super Bowl is a must see and the World Series -- though certainly not what it once was -- remains a top draw, yet the final round of the Masters is the most compelling sports television by far.

Who doesn't remember where they were when Tiger Woods hit his miraculous pitch from just off the green at the 16th hole in 2005? I just watched it again on YouTube and my goosebumps immediately returned.

This year ESPN replaces USA Network in providing coverage of the first two rounds. CBS will offer its usual latenight highlights and then full 18-hole coverage on both Saturday and Sunday. I can't wait.