Texas' revival as a golf state began at the 2008 Byron Nelson Junior Championship, when 14-year-old Jordan Spieth became the event's youngest champion. He won by nine strokes.
Although Spieth did not know Nelson, who died in 2006, the teenager was keenly aware of the Hall of Famer's place in golf history.
"Just the honor of having his name there really helps me," Spieth said then. "It's a really big confidence booster."
Spieth won three straight Nelson Juniors. In the process, he broke the competitive course record at storied Lakewood Country Club, site of Nelson's only victory (1944) in the Dallas event that now bears his name.
Spieth's ties with the legendary Nelson were enhanced two years later when he made national news by tying for 16th in "the big Nelson" at age 16.
The 2010 Byron Nelson had a profound effect on Spieth because it proved he could hang with the world's best players. He turned pro at 19 and went on to become the PGA Tour's youngest winner in 82 years and rookie of the year.
Now a two-time major champion with seven total victories, more than $23 million in prize money and a No. 2 world ranking, Spieth has transformed into Texas' golf ambassador.
He has galvanized interest in the golf hotbed of D-FW, giving fans in one of the country's best sports regions a pro franchise that is a cinch for the playoffs and has contended in six straight major championships.
Social Media Star
Where Texas legends Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan ushered in the modern era with their swings and major titles, Spieth's impact might be best measured by social media.
The Jesuit graduate who honed his game on Northern Texas PGA and Texas Golf Association events has more Twitter followers than any of the Dallas area's other pro athletes, earning the top spot with 1.42 million compared with the Cowboys' Dez Bryant (1.14 million).
Spieth (@JordanSpieth) also has more followers than the Mavericks (871,000), Rangers (730,000) and Stars (350,000).
Since turning pro midway through his sophomore year at Texas, Spieth has shined such positive vibes on the Lone Star State that he's morphed into a sort of global branding role.
He has developed strong ties to and increased the gates of the state's four PGA Tour events -- finishing second in three of them last year -- and broadened his footprint by hooking up with Dallas-based AT&T, title sponsor of his hometown AT&T Byron Nelson, which gave him his first PGA Tour start at 16.
You couldn't ask for a better sponsor than AT&T or a better player to represent the city of Dallas than Jordan...It's a natural fit.
Spieth's fingerprints are all over the tournament he attended -- and played -- as a child. Under Armour, which became a Nelson sponsor last year, and AT&T fund the Tuesday youth clinic that Spieth conducts. And Under Armour serves as the event's official apparel provider.
"You couldn't ask for a better sponsor than AT&T or a better player to represent the city of Dallas than Jordan," Nelson tournament director Jon Drago said. "It's a natural fit."
For this week's event, AT&T will give away Spieth bobblehead dolls to the first 8,000 fans to arrive on Saturday. The company did a similar promotion at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February.
With Spieth in the fold, the Nelson has secured the biggest ticket in golf, and in AT&T, the tournament is well positioned for the future with a company that carries significant clout in dealing with the PGA Tour. AT&T also has been very active with the Nelson's charitable arm, the Momentous Institute.
Crowd Favorite
Spieth drew massive galleries during his 2010 debut, especially on the weekend when Jesuit kids came out in force. But his popularity has skyrocketed with his world ranking, bolstering attendance at all Texas events, particularly the Nelson and the Dean & DeLuca Invitational in Fort Worth.
The Nelson uses the same number of security officials for crowd control with Spieth that it did for Tiger Woods in his heyday.
Perhaps the best indicator of the Spieth effect is the record revenue generated last year by having the world No. 2 coming off his Masters victory.
"Anytime you have a top-five player in the field, that attracts interest," Drago said. "But when you figure in that it's Jordan and Dallas, it's just dramatically bigger. At every [ticket package] sales meeting I go to, the first question is always, 'Is Jordan playing?'
"The attention is centered around him. I attribute a lot of that to Dallas. There are so many Jordan Spieth fans in the world, but the difference is when he comes here, there are so many people who knew him as a kid and think they're his best friend."
A charter member of AT&T-backed Trinity Forest Golf Club, future site of the Nelson, Spieth regularly practices there with longtime teacher Cameron McCormick, the new course's director of instruction.
The course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, is scheduled to open in the fall.
Spieth also put his name on a junior event in Austin, the Under Armour/Jordan Spieth Championship at the University of Texas Golf Club.
The American Junior Golf Association event was selected as Newcomer of the Year in 2014 and tournament of the year in 2015.
Spieth played a role in the success of the inaugural WGC Dell Match Play event at Austin Country Club. He was serenaded by overflow galleries in each of his matches. He acknowledged the fans in houseboats.
"It's almost like a home Ryder Cup match," Spieth said. "They weren't cheering when putts were missed; everyone was very respectful, but every step I took, somebody was yelling or cheering, 'Hook 'em Horns' or 'Go Jordan,' which is really, really cool."
Role Model
Spieth's success and manners have been displayed all over the world. That he has two victories, a tie for fourth and two seconds in the last six majors is the stuff of legends.
That he has maintained his humility during the rapid rise is something that resonates with fans of all sports.
The current crop of talented Texas juniors is bursting with Spieth wannabes who take pride in winning trophies that he claimed.
"Everyone looks up to him," Lewisville's Ryan Grider said after claiming the 2015 Byron Nelson Junior. "For me to have my name with Jordan -- it's awesome. He's probably one of my biggest role models in life, so it means a lot."
Grider, who is taught by McCormick, is one of this year's four Byron Nelson International Junior Award winners. Spieth was among the 2010 class.
As a legend in the making, Spieth has revived Texas' rich golf heritage. With seven wins, including two majors, he has positioned himself to be next in line.
For me to have my name with Jordan -- it's awesome. He's probably one of my biggest role models in life, so it means a lot.
Texas' reputation for producing major champions was in decline when Spieth embarked on his pro career at 19 with no status on any tour.
Following the path of fellow Dallas native and Texas Longhorn Justin Leonard, Spieth earned his PGA Tour membership via sponsor's exemptions, becoming the youngest winner since Dallas legend Ralph Guldahl.
He rose from No. 810 in the World Golf Ranking (February 2013) to No. 1 last August. He was overtaken by Jason Day in late March.
Spieth recorded one of the best seasons in golf history last year, winning his first two majors, the Masters and the U.S. Open. In trying to become the only player other than Hogan in 1953 to win the first three legs of the Grand Slam, Spieth fell one stroke shy of the playoff. He then finished second behind Day at the PGA Championship.
Only 3 1/2 years into his career, Spieth has aligned himself with the Texas legends who blazed trails for him. In 92 events played, he has posted seven victories and 10 seconds, finishing in the top 10 in 39 percent of his starts.
Like the old-timers, Spieth's coronation came at the Masters, where he tied Tiger Woods' record score, going wire-to-wire for his first major win.
Texas Connection
No state has had a bigger presence at Augusta National than Texas. A Texan finished first or second in 16 of 17 Masters from Nelson's victory in 1937 to Jackie Burke's in 1956. Eight native Texans have won 13 green jackets.
Spieth was the first since fellow Texas Longhorn Ben Crenshaw in 1995. Crenshaw, two-time Masters champion, passed the torch to Spieth last year. His final competitive round coincided with Spieth's first major victory.
"A little divine intervention there -- it did feel that way," said Shawn Spieth, Jordan's father.
Spieth understands the magnitude of the green jacket and how the Masters has shaped the career of almost every great player. He actually thought about the potential symmetry of taking Crenshaw's handoff when, after claiming the 36-hole lead, he saw the telecast of Crenshaw's final hole.
"I'm thinking I'm in the driver's seat and I'm watching Ben finish on TV," Spieth said. "There was a little bit of rain coming down that came out of nowhere -- Augusta crying that he's leaving. But here's the thing. When you think about it that way, that's what can get in your way. 'Oh, this is destiny.'
"Not exactly. You still have to sit there and literally create that destiny and create that history when it comes to golf. It's not given. But I knew it would be something that would be really cool and fitting that would add to it."
Ending the longest drought for Texas winners in Masters history magnified the significance of Spieth's first Champions Dinner last month.
The celebration is part of Texas' legacy at Augusta. Hogan came up with the idea and was the first host in 1952. A Texan traditionally has presided over the proceedings, with Hogan doing the first four, followed by Nelson, who served from 1956 to 2005 before handing off to Crenshaw.
Given Spieth's current standing as Texas' ambassador, it's not difficult to envision him serving as emcee one day.
"I've got to give it to somebody someday," Crenshaw said. "I don't know where it's going, but obviously as a Texan it's a nice progression. We are so proud to have won there, and it's something for any Texas kid to shoot for in the future."