2021 Byron Nelson: Sergio Garcia Off To Strong Start

It was a great day for scoring Thursday and Sergio Garcia took full advantage during the opening round of the 2021 AT&T Byron Nelson. The 2017 Masters Champion began the event with a 7-under par round of 65. The highlight of the round came on the short par 4 sixth hole, when Garcia holed out from 52 yards for an eagle. It was also a clean round for Sergio, he did not record a bogey during Thursday’s round.

This isn’t the first time this season the long time pro has started an event on a high note. In March at the Players Championship, Garcia fired an opening round 65 to hold the first round lead.  2021 has been an up and down year so far for the 11 time PGA Tour winner. He has recorded three top 10 finishes, but has also missed three cuts, including two missed cuts in his past two events.

Garcia is no stranger to success in the state of Texas. The 41-year old won the Byron Nelson back in 2004, when it was played at the TPC Four Seasons. He defeated Robert Damron and Dudley Hart in a playoff to capture the victory. The Spaniard also won the event in 2016, once again winning the event in a playoff, this time defeating Brooks Koepka.

A strong showing this week would help Garcia’s effort to qualify for the European Ryder Cup team this fall. He is currently 11th on the World Points list, and would require captain’s pick to make the team. Garcia has represented Europe at the Ryder Cup nine times, and if he failed to make the team, it would be the first time since 2010 he would not be on the European roster for the event. Europe has won the Ryder Cup six times with Garcia on the team. That’s a goal he’s definitely shooting for and rounds like the one he had on Thursday can only help his cause.