Garcia carded seven birdies and two bogeys in an opening 66 in the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura to end the day three shots behind Australia’s Lucas Herbert, who returned a flawless 63.

The former Masters champion said on social media earlier this week he had been “heartbroken” by the shocking news about 22-year-old European Ladies’ Amateur Champion Barquin, who was found dead on a course in Iowa.

The pair had met in the past and Garcia told Sky Sports: “It was nice to shoot a nice score and dedicate that a little bit to Celia after what happened earlier in the week. I was wearing black for that, too.”

Garcia had not competed since the middle of August after failing to qualify for the Fed Ex Cup play-offs on the PGA Tour, although that did not stop European captain Thomas Bjorn handing the 38-year-old a wild card for next week’s Ryder Cup.

You are obviously a bit rusty so there are little things you have to work with in your mind,” Garcia added. “The important thing today was that I stayed patient and calm. Even when I missed some birdie putts early on, I kept at it.

“[The Ryder Cup] is special. There’s nothing like it. Winning it is even better. But, win or lose, to have the possibility of being part of a Ryder Cup team, playing in your colours and playing with some amazing friends, there is no other tournament like it. That’s one of the reasons I love it.”

Herbert carded an eagle and six birdies to finish a shot ahead of Ireland’s Shane Lowry and the English duo of Eddie Pepperell and Matt Wallace, with China’s Li Haotong a shot further back.

Wallace was overlooked for a Ryder Cup wild card despite three victories this season.