Defending champion Sergio Garcia has the chance to record a hat-trick of Andalucía Masters victories this week when he returns to action for the first time since becoming Europe's all-time leading points scorer in the Ryder Cup.
Home favourite Garcia won the 2011 edition before tasting victory again at its next staging in 2017 when it was hosted by his own charitable foundation.
Last year's win, which came after a final-round battle with Dutchman Joost Luiten, rounded off a special season for Garcia which saw him claim his first Major Championship title at the Masters.
And the 38 year old heads into this week's Andalucía Valderrama Masters hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation full of confidence after delivering three points as Europe beat the United States at Le Golf National to overtake Nick Faldo as his continent's top Ryder Cup points scorer.
He said: "It was great to beat the record. Not only because I'm on top of some amazing players - some of my idols - but because it means that I was able to help the European team for a long time and that's what makes me proud.
"To help the team win as many times as we have lately - it's always an honour.
"I don't think my attitude has changed. There are still many things that I can accomplish. I'm very happy and thankful for the career that I have had so far."
Garcia names Real Club Valderrama as one of his favourite courses in the world and hopes to be able to successfully defend his title there this week.
"It’s always great to come to Valderrama and hopefully I can keep up the good work of the last six weeks so I can give myself a chance to defend the title," he added.
"I have found some very good changes on the course. We have a couple of new short pin positions on the tenth.
"The 11th now has more room for approaching the green and two good pins, one to the left and the other to the front right of the green.
"I also like the entrance of the 12th, 15th and 16th greens. The back of the 17th green is slightly larger. The course condition is spectacular and the greens are rolling incredibly fast and true. Valderrama should be really proud.
"I love the way this course plays. I love how tough it is even though it's not a long golf course.
"It's just testing you and every part of your game, which is always good fun.
"There are courses that I love playing and Valderrama is one of the favourites so I love playing here."
