Sergio Garcia confirmed he will end a 10-year absence and contest this year’s 2013 Spanish Open in Valencia.

Garcia has not contested his own national open since finishing in a share of 19th place and four shots behind England’s Kenneth Ferrie in the 2003 Canarias Open de Espana at the Golf Costa Adeje on the island of Tenerife.

Sergio Garcia will end a 10-year absence and tee up in this year’s 2013 Spanish Open. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)

And his appearance this year will be only Garcia’s seventh showing in the event since making his debut as a 16-year old in the 1996 Spanish Open on the Club De Campo course in Madrid.

However he will return to this year’s event on the Parador de El Saler course in Valencia from April 18th to 21st as winner of the championship on Grand Canaria in 2002.

“It is my pleasure to confirm this news,” said Garcia.

“I am thrilled to play again the Open of Spain. Each year trying to balance the dates to appear in one of my favorite weeks, but it was really hard.

“This year I do not want to miss it for the world, so I can not be happier.”

This year’s Spanish Open is being staged on the Parador de El Saler course for a first time in the 101-year history of the event.

Italy’s Francesco Molinari is the defending champion.