Nelson's memory overshadows PGA Tour stop in Texas

LOS ANGELES, Apr 24 (Reuters) The Byron Nelson Championship, one of the most popular stops on the PGA Tour, has long been held in high esteem by the game's leading players.

This week's edition in Irving, Texas, has taken on extra special meaning as it will be the first played without Nelson in attendance since the tournament was named in his honour in 1968.

Golfing great Nelson, who won an unprecedented 11 successive PGA Tour events in 1945, died of natural causes last September at his ranch in Roanoke, Texas at the age of 94.

When the tournament starts at the TPC at Las Colinas tomorrow, there will be an empty chair beside the 18th green where Nelson used to sit and welcome players after their rounds.

''To see an empty chair will be sad but it will also put a smile on your face thinking about Byron Nelson the man,'' American Tom Lehman told reporters after receiving the inaugural Byron Nelson prize yesterday.

''He lived an amazingly full life and was healthy almost until the very end. He accomplished a lot and gave a lot.

''There probably weren't a lot of regrets in his life, I don't imagine, so it was quite a life to celebrate.'' Lehman, who won the 1996 British Open at Royal Lytham, said he was humbled to receive the first annual award given to a person or organisation in golf who exemplifies the spirit of ''giving back'' that was personified by Nelson.

ULTIMATE COMPLIMENT ''It's the ultimate compliment, quite frankly,'' added the 2006 US Ryder Cup captain who, with his wife Melissa, has helped raise more than 4 million dollar for the Children's Cancer Research Fund at the University of Minnesota.

''What makes it so special is the kind of person that Byron was.

''When I think about Byron Nelson, the last thing that comes to my mind is his victories. I don't think about the 11 in a row, I don't think about the 18 in a year, I don't think about all the things he did in golf.

''I think about the kind of person he was, the impact he had on the people around him. There's probably nobody in golf who's been a better role model than Byron. He's inspired me to want to be a better golfer but more importantly a better person.'' Nelson, a five-times major winner widely considered the straightest hitter of the ball in history, was also known for his elegant swing and chivalrous attitude.

'Lord Byron', as he was nicknamed, was among the most popular players to have graced the game.

His tournament has raised more than 94 million dollars for charity since it became the Byron Nelson Golf Classic in 1968 and most PGA Tour players made a habit of attending to pay their respects to a golfing great.

WETTERICH OVERAWED Big-hitting American Brett Wetterich, who won last year's title by a shot, was overawed simply by being in Nelson's presence after the 2006 tournament.

''You hear everything that he's done for the city of Dallas and all the kids and everything around here, it's pretty amazing,'' he said.

''Sitting by him last year while I'm getting the trophy was a very special feeling, just having him in your presence gives you the goose bumps.'' Sergio Garcia, the 2004 champion and one of eight members of the world's top 20 playing this week, has fond memories of Nelson.

''Mr. Nelson did so much for golf and for the community,'' said the Spaniard, who tied for third at the 1999 Byron Nelson Championship where he made his first PGA Tour start as a professional.

''I always liked how he would come around, take a look at us playing the course and say: 'Hi', things like that.

''I liked his stories. He could talk about 1931 like it was two days ago. He was an amazing gentleman and I'm happy I had the chance to meet him.'' Nelson will be honoured by a minute's silence during Saturday's third round and also by a early morning service held beside the 18th green on Sunday.

REUTERS AKD KP1054