AUGUSTA, Ga. - The week that seemed to belong to Tiger Woods, to the comeback that swamped all other sports news like a flood, instead finished in the possession of the man who could be called Tiger's only real rival, Phil Mickelson.

What an ending Sunday to a Masters that was poignant, dramatic and most of all tearful. What a close to a golfing show of spectacular shots and remarkable tension.

There was Mickelson, with his third Masters victory, and for the first time in months, there was Amy, his wife, who has been undergoing cancer treatment, in his embrace. And in the distance was the best-supporting actor in this production, Tiger Woods.

For so long Phil has existed in Tiger's shadow, but Sunday afternoon, as the shadows lengthened over Augusta National Golf Club, Mickelson was a man alone. Other than his family.

He had played the Masters in the classic manner created years back by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, battering the two reachable but dangerous par-5s on the back nine, 13 and 15. In the four rounds, Mickelson had two eagles, five birdies and only one par combined on the holes.

He had played the Masters with the poise and touch of a man who despite not winning any tournaments this year offered a sense of confidence and serenity that was as persuasive as his putter.

Mickelson shot his third 67 of the week Sunday, and his 16-under total of 272 was three shots better than Lee Westwood, who began the last round with a shot lead on Phil, his playing partner. Anthony Kim, the 24-year-old Californian, was third at 276, while Woods and K.J. Choi, with whom Tiger played all four days, tied for fourth at 277.

Yet, Phil seemed less concerned with his game, and obviously it was excellent, than the wonderful fact Amy and the couple's children were alongside the 18th green as he completed his victory walk up the final fairway.

"I wasn't sure if she was going to be there today,'' said Mickelson. Amy had arrived in Augusta earlier in the week, and the children caddied for their dad in the par-3 contest Wednesday, but she had remained at the home the family was renting.

"I knew she would be watching,'' Mickelson said. "I didn't know if she would be behind 18. To walk off the green and share that with her is a very emotional moment for us.''

And for Phil's longtime caddy, Bones Mackay, and current teacher, Butch Harmon, who, of course, used to teach Tiger. Everyone was crying, including Harmon.

"Yeah, Amy and I don't normally shed tears over wins, and when Amy and I hugged off 18 that was a very emotional moment, something I'll look back on and cherish," Mickelson said. "I mean I'll cherish every moment of this week. This has been a very special week.''

A very curious week, a week that opened with the strange invitation-only press conference for Tiger, who was making his return to competitive golf after five months. Others in the field, Mickelson, Fred Couples - who at age 50 was a remarkable sixth - defending champ Angel Cabrera, were virtually ignored.

Tiger kept himself in the tournament, and in the news certainly, and coming in five shots behind after not playing tournament golf since mid-November is an indication his skills have in no way deteriorated.

Mickelson, who will be 40 in June, and the 34-year-old Woods both grew up in southern California, although they didn't really face each other until the pros. Phil was the hot one, in fact Tiger Woods before Tiger Woods, on magazine covers when still an amateur. But once Tiger showed up, he was The Man.

Even this triumph for Mickelson, his fourth major, will be diminished because of the attention understandably given to Woods. The New York Times, for one, had a reporter who wrote only on Tiger, day after day.

Phil has learned to exist with Tigermania. There's not much else he could do, accepting the inevitable, unless it concerns his own game.

"I felt like I was playing well starting the year,'' insisted Mickelson. "I just haven't had the results, whatever it was. Maybe I didn't putt very well. Maybe I made some mistakes and couldn't recover.

"I wanted to have some confidence and wins and getting into contention, and so forth. But when I got here to Augusta, I get very relaxed and feel very comfortable. I'm in love with the place, and it brings out the best in me.''

The best was on display Sunday. Phil Mickelson made Tiger's tournament his very own.