Nicolas Colsaerts officially announced his retirement last year, but the former European Ryder Cupper wanted to take one more ride on the DP World Tour before saying goodbye to professional golf.
There is no better place to say goodbye than in the place closest to your heart – your home.
Colsaerts made his 505th and final career DP World Tour start this week at the Soudal Open in his native Belgium. The 2012 Ryder Cupper made his way around the Rinkven International GC in Antwerp with a 1-over 72 in the first round, meaning he arrived on Friday knowing the next 18 holes were likely to be his final as a professional.
“The Belgian Bomber” bogeyed his third hole but then birdied the par-5 fifth to send a buzzer through his country for the final time. He followed with birdies at 6, 7 and 8, but bogeyed his last 10 holes in 2 to miss the cut by two.
“Look, I really gave it a great run,” Colsaerts said after his round. “It was a bit like the old Colsaerts on the front nine. I started to believe again. I forgot what it felt like. When that putt went in for eagle, it was probably the biggest scream I’ve heard in years. It was absolutely amazing. It’s just a shame I couldn’t really close it out by playing a good weekend and going in Colert style. It’s been the story of my life.”
When he reached the 18th – the final hole of the tournament and his professional career – Colsaerts made the emotional walk with his parents, his wife, Rachel, and his sons, Jackson and Oliver, by his side. As Colsaerts reached the 18th green, his playing partners – good friends Marcel Siem and Alexander Levy – and family stepped aside to let him soak in the moment and the adoration from the crowd as he wiped tears from his eyes.
“As you can tell, it means the world,” said an emotional Colsaerts. “When you walk down a road like that with your whole family and your parents, look, here I go again. It’s normal. I’ve learned in the last couple of years that it’s okay to show emotion. I have no problem with that. I just hope people understand what it means for most of us to do this for a living — to have the good times, but also to navigate the bad times.”
Colsaerts scored a final score and then broke down hugging Siem and Levy as the Belgian crown gave its hero a fitting send-off.
Colsaerts’ professional career, which began in 1998, included victories at the Volvo China Open, Volvo World Matchplay and French Open. He finished T7 at the 2012 Open and T10 at the 2013 US Open. But the biggest highlight of his career came as a member of the 2012 European Ryder Cup team, when he and Lee Westwood defeated Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker in four balls on Friday at Medinah. That was the only point Colsaerts recorded in the Ryder Cup, but it was vital in what ended up being a remarkable comeback for the Europeans.
Colsaerts’ professional send-off has included a farewell at the Alfred Dunhill Links in St. Andrews, French Open and in Australia. But Friday in Belgium was the last and most meaningful farewell for the long-bombed Belgian. As he prepared to retire, the 2012 Ryder Cupper came up with a message for all those who love the game that has given him so much.
“Thank you to everyone who followed, who clicked on my name, who clapped wherever it would have been in the whole world,” said Colsaerts. “We’ve been everywhere. I’ve had so much fun doing it. But all good things come to an end. I’m out of gas. But I’ve had an absolute blast, so don’t feel bad for me.
“Keep going on the golf course. It’s a great game. It sucks at times, but that’s why we come back every weekend to play it.”
And with that message, Nicolas Colsaerts officially bowed out in Belgium.
