Masters champion Sergio Garcia returns to North Texas to defend Byron Nelson crown

This year's AT&T Byron Nelson was already assured of having a marquee returning champion. Sergio Garcia's name has long resonated in golf.

Then last month, 37-year-old Garcia earned his first major title, the Masters, amplifying his stature and, by extension, the profile of this year's Nelson.

Also, after four runner-up finishes in 70 previous major tournaments as a pro, Garcia has shed the mantle of best active player to have never won a major.

"Obviously, I like where I stand now better," Garcia said with a smile, minutes after beating Justin Rose in a playoff to win the Masters. "But it's always nice to be recognized or seen as the best player to not have won a major -- because at least 'best player,' there's a good thing there.

"Well, I don't have to answer that anymore. Now I'll have to answer [whether] I'll be the best player to have only won one major. But I can live with that."

Though Garcia didn't specifically cite last year's Nelson in his Masters victory news conference, his playoff victory over Brooks Koepka last May 22 at the TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas certainly was a significant kick-start to a wonderful stretch, on and off the course.

The Nelson win was Garcia's first PGA Tour victory since the August 2012 Wyndham Championship. It was his first win of any kind since the 2013 Thailand Championship.

In February of this year, he won the Omega Dubai Desert Classic by three strokes over Henrik Stenson. Two months later came the Masters.

Amid this career renaissance, Garcia tweeted in January that he had become engaged to former TCU and University of Texas golfer -- and Golf Channel reporter -- Angela Akins. Garcia said they had dated for a year before the engagement.

Angela's father is Marty Akins, a standout quarterback at Texas from 1975-77.

"We think we might be bringing him good luck," Marty joked to The News during the final round of the Masters, explaining that he and wife Pam also attended last year's Nelson and the U.S. Open at Oakmont, where Garcia tied for fifth.

Garcia and Angela Akins have said their wedding will be sometime in 2017, though they haven't announced a date.

"I have a beautiful life, an amazing life, major or no major," Garcia said. "I have so many people that care for me and love me and support me. I feel so nicely surrounded."

The Masters victory probably cemented his World Golf Hall of Fame candidacy. He is one of the most successful Ryder Cup players in history and has won 31 tournaments worldwide, but no golf résumé is hall of fame worthy without a major title.

He is a proud Spaniard and his tournament victories have occurred in 15 different countries, but it seems apropos that he's marrying into a Lone Star family because his golf attainments include more than a hint of Texas twang.

The first PGA Tour event he played as a professional, at age 19, was the 1999 Nelson. His first PGA Tour victory was the 2001 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. He won the 2004 and 2016 Nelsons, so three of his 10 PGA Tour wins have occurred in North Texas.

In 34 Nelsons that have been played in Las Colinas, there have been 33 different winners, Garcia being the only player who has won twice.

Given that his career and life still are blossoming, don't bet against Garcia when the TPC Four Seasons hosts its last Nelson this week -- or when the tournament moves to Trinity Forest Golf Club starting next year.

"I'm here and pretty much just started," Garcia said of where he is in his career. "Obviously I'm 37. I'm not 22 or 25 anymore. But I feel like I still have a lot of great years left in me."

Twitter: @Townbrad