Garcia is feeling at home in Texas Open

SAN ANTONIO — Sergio Garcia had a long history with Texas even before he became a parttime resident.

He made his PGA Tour debut as a pro in 1999 at the Byron Nelson Classic and caused an immediate sensation with the gallery outside Dallas when he made eight birdies in 15 holes and had a chance for a 59 when he had a 4-iron into the par-5 16th hole. He finished par-par-bogey for a 62 and tied for third that week. Two years later, the Spaniard won his first PGA Tour event at Colonial, the first of three victories in the Lone Star State. Now, the connection extends to family. He married Angela Akins last summer, and he’s based out of the Austin area when he’s playing in America. That’s where he was last week after missing the cut at the Masters, for a family gathering of both parents and plenty of doting on Azalea, their 5-week-old daughter. “Changed a lot of nappies,” Garcia said.

Garcia also has a connection to the Valero Texas Open. He was the consultant to Greg Norman in designing the AT&T Oaks Course at the TPC San Antonio, which will be used for the ninth straight year at the Texas Open. Garcia played that first year and broke par only once while tying for 45th. Now he’s back to compete against a field that includes Adam Scott, Ernie Els and defending champ Kevin Chappell. Also in the field is Joaquin Niemann of Chile, the No. 1 amateur in the world who makes his pro debut this week at 19. The Texas Open falls into a quiet part of the PGA schedule, two weeks after the Masters, three weeks before The Players Championship.