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Nicolas Colsaerts
Nicolas Colsaerts
Nicolas Colsaerts
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Nicolas Colsaerts (born 14 November 1982) is a Belgian professional golfer previously playing on the European Tour and the PGA Tour.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Colsaerts, also known as "The Belgian Bomber",[2] was born in Schaerbeek, Belgium. Coming from a sporting family (his great grandfather represented Belgium at basketball and water polo at the 1920 Olympic Games[3]), he started playing golf at 6 years old in Brussels, Belgium.[4] He had a very successful junior and amateur career; he was selected twice for the Junior Ryder Cup (in 1997 and 1999), and represented Belgium at the 1998 and 2000 Eisenhower Trophy.

He turned professional in 2000, the day of his 18th birthday, with a +5 handicap.[5]

Colsaerts speaks five languages: French, English, Dutch, Spanish and Italian.[6]

Professional career

[edit]

Three days after turning professional Colsaerts entered 2000 Qualifying School where he gained his European Tour card.[7][8]

Colsaerts first season on the European Tour was unsuccessful and having finished 172nd on the Order of Merit[9] Colsaerts lost his European Tour card. He spent the 2002 season playing on the Challenge Tour and despite a winless season[10] he finished 10th of the Challenge Tour Order of Merit to regain his European Tour card for 2003.[11] Colsaerts continued to play on the European Tour throughout in next four seasons.[10]

Colsaerts led the Nissan Irish Open at the halfway stage in 2006,[12] but fell away over the weekend and finished in a tie for 53rd place.[13] Similarly, he led the EnterCard Scandinavian Masters after the third round but finished tied for 24th.[14] Following a poor season in 2007 when he finished 201st on the Order of Merit, Colsaerts again lost his European Tour card and returned to the Challenge Tour for the 2008 and 2009 seasons.[10][15]

Colsaerts nearly won the 2009 Challenge of Ireland after a final round 68, but lost at the third hole of a sudden-death playoff to English golfer Robert Coles.[16] However, he eventually captured his maiden victory on the Challenge Tour a few weeks later at the SK Golf Challenge[17] and added the Dutch Futures later in October.[18] In 2010, he had a best finish of third at the BMW Italian Open,[19] and retained his tour card for 2011 after finishing 67th on the Race to Dubai rankings.[20]

In 2011 he won his first European Tour title at the Volvo China Open.[21] He then reached the semi-finals of the 2011 Volvo World Match Play Championship in Spain, losing to eventual winner Ian Poulter after a playoff hole in the semi-finals.[22] These results placed him high enough on the year's ranking to get him a spot for the 2011 Open Championship,[23] and two days later he won the European qualifying tournament for the 2011 U.S. Open at Walton Heath Golf Club.[24] He finished the season ranked 20th in the Race to Dubai to secure invitations to at least two majors in 2012.[25]

In May 2012, he won his biggest career title at the Volvo World Match Play Championship. He beat Graeme McDowell, 1 up, in the final and was never behind in the match at any point.[26] On his way to the title he also beat Justin Rose 4 and 3,[27] Brandt Snedeker 4 and 3,[28] and Paul Lawrie at the 20th hole in the semi-finals, after beginning four down after four holes.[26] Prior to all of this, he had only just advanced from the group stage after defeating Charl Schwartzel at the first playoff hole.[26] Colsaerts entered the top 50 in the world after his win took him to world number 32.[29]

Colsaerts played in the 2012 U.S. Open at the Olympic Club and made the cut for the first time in a major championship, going on to finish tied 27th.[30] For a brief period during the third round Colsaerts was tied for the lead and started the final round just three strokes back of the leaders. However he fell away with a final round of 76. On 27 August 2012, he was selected by European captain José María Olazábal as a wildcard for the 2012 Ryder Cup team, becoming the first Belgian to play in the event.[31] At the event, he was paired with Lee Westwood in the Friday afternoon fourball match against the American pairing of Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker. He won that match almost entirely by himself, sinking multiple long putts throughout, thereby collecting a point for Europe. On Saturday he was selected for two matches but his pairing lost both. He ultimately lost his Sunday singles match as well, though team Europe did go on to win the Ryder Cup by a half point. He finished the season ranked 11th on the Race to Dubai.[32] In October, Colsaerts joined the PGA Tour, accepting Special Temporary Member status for the final three events of the season.[33] Colsaerts made $677,011 as a non-member, finishing almost $30,000 ahead of Kevin Chappell, the golfer who earned the 125th and final PGA Tour card for 2013. The amount earned Colsaerts full membership into the PGA Tour for 2013.[34]

In 2013, Colsaerts played on both the European and PGA Tour; in the US, he finished tenth at the U.S. Open, 8th at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and reached round of 16 of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. With a final 128th place in the FedEx Cup he missed the end of season playoffs, but was able to retain his membership thanks to his 114th place in the money list.[35] He collected five top-10 finishes in the European Tour, with a fifth place at the Italian Open as best result.

In 2014 he finished second at the Portugal Masters and Malaysian Open, fourth at the Wales Open and sixth at the BMW Masters. His season was less successful in the US, where he was cut 7 times in 12 events and lost his tour membership.

During the 2015 season, Colsaerts finished seventh the Nordea Masters, ninth at the Paul Lawrie Match Play and 13th at the Qatar Masters.

In August 2016, Colsaerts represented Belgium at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the Individual Stroke Play competition, finishing tied for the 30th place.

In May 2017, he tied for third place in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

In October 2019, Colsaerts won the Open de France at Le Golf National outside of Paris, France.[36]

In October 2024, at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, he finished second to Tyrrell Hatton. Hatton birdied the final hole to win by one stroke over Colsaerts.[37]

Broadcast career

[edit]

Colsaerts announced his retirement after 24 years on tour at the end of the 2025 season, and joined LIV Golf as an on-course reporter in 2026.[38][39]

Amateur wins

[edit]

Professional wins (10)

[edit]

European Tour wins (3)

[edit]
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runner(s)-up
1 24 Apr 2011 Volvo China Open1 −24 (65-67-66-66=264) 4 strokes Denmark Søren Kjeldsen, Republic of Ireland Peter Lawrie,
New Zealand Danny Lee, Spain Pablo Martín
2 20 May 2012 Volvo World Match Play Championship 1 up Northern Ireland Graeme McDowell
3 20 Oct 2019 Amundi Open de France −12 (67-66-67-72=272) 1 stroke Denmark Joachim B. Hansen

1Co-sanctioned by the OneAsia Tour

Challenge Tour wins (2)

[edit]
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runners-up
1 9 Aug 2009 SK Golf Challenge −11 (70-71-70-66=277) Playoff Wales Rhys Davies, France Julien Guerrier
2 13 Sep 2009 Dutch Futures −17 (69-66-67-69=271) 4 strokes Scotland Andrew McArthur, France Julien Quesne

Challenge Tour playoff record (1–2)

No. Year Tournament Opponent(s) Result
1 2000 DEXIA-BIL Luxembourg Open
(as an amateur) 		Denmark Nils Roerbaek-Petersen, Sweden Henrik Stenson Stenson won with birdie on second extra hole
2 2009 Challenge of Ireland England Robert Coles Lost to birdie on third extra hole
3 2009 SK Golf Challenge Wales Rhys Davies, France Julien Guerrier Won with birdie on second extra hole

Alps Tour wins (1)

[edit]
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runner-up
1 15 May 2005 Open de Bordeaux −23 (65-66-65-69=265) 6 strokes France Pierre Sallat

French Tour wins (1)

[edit]
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runners-up
1 4 Dec 2010 Mauritius Golf Masters −9 (67-73-67=207) 4 strokes South Africa Darren Fichardt, South Africa Hennie Otto

Other wins (3)

[edit]
  • 2000 World Travel Open (PGA of Belgium) (as an amateur)
  • 2002 Belgian Match Play Championship
  • 2003 Omnium of Belgium

Results in major championships

[edit]
Tournament 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open
The Open Championship CUT
PGA Championship
Tournament 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Masters Tournament CUT
U.S. Open CUT T27 T10 CUT
The Open Championship T7 CUT T46 CUT
PGA Championship CUT CUT CUT CUT
  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary

[edit]
Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts made
Masters Tournament 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
U.S. Open 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 2
The Open Championship 0 0 0 0 1 1 5 2
PGA Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Totals 0 0 0 0 2 2 14 4
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 2 (2012 U.S. Open – 2012 Open Championship)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (twice)

Results in World Golf Championships

[edit]
Tournament 2011 2012 2013
Match Play R64 R16
Championship T35 T18
Invitational T45 T57
Champions T20 T54
  Top 10
  Did not play

QF, R16, R32, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play
"T" = Tied

Team appearances

[edit]

Amateur

Professional

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Nicolas Colsaerts

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Nicolas Colsaerts is a renowned for his powerful driving and contributions to European team events. Born on 14 November 1982 in , he turned professional in 2000 with a plus-five handicap and has since competed extensively on the DP World Tour and . Colsaerts achieved three victories on the DP World Tour, with his first coming at the 2011 Volvo China Open and his second at the 2012 , marking him as the first Belgian to secure multiple wins on the circuit. He earned his breakthrough on the main tour after a decade alternating between the DP World Tour and the , where he claimed two titles in 2009. One of his career highlights was representing in the at , where he became the first to participate and contributed to the team's dramatic comeback victory with a 1–3 record in his matches. Colsaerts later served as a for the European team at the under captain . Additionally, he represented at the in Rio de Janeiro, finishing tied for 30th in the men's individual event. After a 25-year professional career that included over 500 starts on the DP World Tour, Colsaerts announced his retirement at the end of the 2025 season, with his final events including appearances in late 2025 tournaments. Known as the "Belgian Bomber" for his long drives, he has been a trailblazer for Belgian , inspiring a new generation while overcoming personal challenges, including a life-threatening illness in 2022.

Early life and education

Childhood and introduction to golf

Nicolas Colsaerts was born on November 14, 1982, in , a municipality of , . As an from a family with a strong sporting heritage, Colsaerts grew up immersed in athletic influences; his great-grandfather had represented in basketball and water polo at the 1920 , while his father, Patrick, was a top-level field hockey player who later won the club championship at Royal Waterloo Golf Club. Colsaerts' introduction to golf came at the age of six, when his father, having retired from hockey, sought a new family activity and took him to the , a nine-hole course located on a former track. His grandmother played a pivotal role by gifting him his first set of clubs—a three-wood, seven-iron, and —which ignited his passion for the . Patrick supported his son's early development by installing a practice mat and net at home, allowing Colsaerts to hone his swing obsessively; he began with a handicap of 36 and, under initial guidance at the club, reduced it to 12 by age 12. By his early teens, Colsaerts had progressed to a plus-two handicap, entering competitive junior events in and laying the foundation for his future in . Beyond , Colsaerts' childhood included pursuits that reflected his energetic personality and family influences, such as a love for hockey inspired by his father and an interest in music that provided balance to his intense training routine. He also spent time outdoors in the Belgian countryside near , engaging in casual activities that complemented his growing dedication to the sport.

Academic background

Colsaerts was born in , a municipality in , , and attended local schools during his formative years. He enrolled in a in founded in the early 1970s by Professor Rudy Bogaerts, a tutor to the , which maintained a small enrollment of around 40 students. During the late 1990s, as a teenager, Colsaerts balanced his commitments with an intensifying junior schedule, though his passion for the increasingly dominated his time and affected his academic focus. Bogaerts' structured environment emphasized discipline and independence, skills that Colsaerts later credited with aiding his ability to travel and manage the demands of competitive . Upon completing secondary education around age 18, Colsaerts opted to forgo higher education or vocational training, turning professional immediately in 2000 to pursue golf full-time with a plus-five handicap. This decision reflected his early prioritization of athletics over extended academics, supported by his family's sporting background.

Amateur career

Key amateur victories

Colsaerts demonstrated early promise in his amateur career, culminating in several significant victories in 2000 that solidified his status as one of Belgium's top young talents. That year, he claimed the Championnat de Belgique , finishing with a dominant performance that showcased his burgeoning power off the tee and precision in scoring. This national title, held annually as the premier stroke-play event for Belgian amateurs, highlighted his progression from local junior competitions to elite domestic contention. In the same season, Colsaerts achieved international recognition by winning the French International Boys Championship, a prestigious under-18 contested at various French venues. Competing against Europe's finest juniors, his victory underscored his competitive edge on a broader stage, contributing to his selection for high-profile team events like the later that year. These successes, occurring just before his professional transition, elevated his profile in European amateur circles and marked a pivotal step in his development. Overall, these 2000 victories—totaling two major titles—propelled him from regional junior standout to a figure of national importance in Belgian golf, paving the way for his international junior representations.

International junior representations

Colsaerts first gained international exposure at age 14, representing in the inaugural held at , , in September 1997, where the European team fell to the 7–5 in the match-play format contested over 12 points. At 16, he returned for the 1999 edition at New Seabury Country Club in , contributing to Europe's narrow 10½–9½ victory over the U.S., marking their first win in the biennial under-15 boys' team event. These appearances allowed Colsaerts to compete alongside emerging talents such as fellow European Rafa Cabrera Bello, while facing American prospects like , fostering early bonds and rivalries with future professional golfers. In addition to the Junior Ryder Cup, Colsaerts represented in the European Boys' Team Championship in 1997 at Bled Golf Course in and again in 1999 at Uppsala Golf Club in , events that highlighted his growing prowess in continental junior play. During the 1999 championship, he posted an individual two-round total of 145 (75-70), placing 12th overall and supporting 's team effort in the stroke-play competition for under-18 boys. These outings, occurring during his mid-teens, sharpened his competitive mindset by emphasizing team strategy and resilience under pressure from diverse European fields. Colsaerts extended his international junior career by twice donning the colors of in the , the men's World Amateur Team Championship, first in 1998 at Club de Golf Los Leones in Santiago, Chile, at age 15, and then in 2000 at Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof in , , at age 17. In both tournaments, he carded a four-round total of 292 (+12), anchoring the Belgian squad's performance in the global stroke-play team event that drew top amateur nations worldwide. Regarded as a continental prodigy, Colsaerts drew early media notice for his long-hitting potential during these high-profile gatherings, experiences that instilled a lasting appreciation for international competition and teamwork.

Professional career

Entry into professional golf

Nicolas Colsaerts turned in 2000 on his 18th birthday, entering the sport with a plus-five handicap following a successful amateur career that included representations in junior international events. He immediately participated in the European Tour that year, successfully earning his card for the main tour and marking a swift transition from amateur ranks. His debut season on the European Tour in 2001 proved challenging, as he struggled to maintain consistent performance and lost his playing status after finishing outside the retention threshold. Colsaerts then shifted to the European Challenge Tour, the primary developmental circuit for the European Tour, where he spent significant time over the next several years, alternating between the two levels in an effort to re-establish himself. This period of instability highlighted the early hurdles of professional adaptation, including financial pressures from limited earnings and the need to requalify multiple times through subsequent attempts in 2004, 2006, and 2008. Upon turning pro, Colsaerts secured an early sponsorship deal with in 2001, providing crucial support during his formative years, while maintaining continuity in coaching under Michel Vanmeerbeek, who had guided him since age eight. No major equipment sponsorship changes were noted at the outset, allowing him to focus on building his professional foundation amid the competitive demands of lower-tier tours.

Breakthrough on the European Tour

After several seasons oscillating between the and limited appearances on the main tour following his initial qualification via the 2000 , Colsaerts regained consistent footing on the European Tour in 2010, finishing 67th on the with a third-place result at the . His breakthrough arrived in 2011 at the Volvo China Open, where he claimed his maiden European Tour victory by seven strokes with a course-record total of 24 under par, propelling him to 20th on the season-ending and earning him over €1 million in prize money. The following year marked Colsaerts' peak, highlighted by his second tour win at the 2012 in Spain, where he defeated world number four 1-up in the final to secure the €816,000 first prize and become the first Belgian winner of a European Tour event of that stature. This success, combined with seven top-10 finishes, elevated him to 11th on the 2012 with earnings exceeding €1.7 million. His form earned him a wildcard selection to the European team by captain , making him the first Belgian to participate; Colsaerts contributed 1.5 points in the dramatic 14.5-13.5 victory over the at Medinah, notably partnering with for a 1-up win in his debut match. Colsaerts reached his career-high world ranking of 32nd in May 2012 following the triumph, reflecting his emergence as a consistent performer known for his prodigious driving distance—often exceeding 320 yards—and improved under pressure. This period solidified his status on the tour, with steady top-20 finishes through 2013, though subsequent years saw him battle form inconsistencies before a third victory at the 2019 Open de .

PGA Tour experience and global play

Colsaerts earned full membership for the 2013 season after performing as a special temporary member in 2012, bolstered by his participation and a strong finish on the money list equivalent to the top 125. He retained his card for 2014 by finishing 118th on the 2013 money list, earning $1,387,269 over his career. Across these two full seasons, plus limited earlier appearances, Colsaerts made 45 starts, recording five top-10 finishes but struggling with consistency, as he made the cut in only 22 events. His standout PGA Tour results included an eighth-place finish at the 2013 , where he shot 13-under-par, and a tied for 10th at the 2013 U.S. Open at . Colsaerts faced challenges adapting to the 's demanding schedule and U.S. course conditions, which emphasized precision over his natural power game, leading to frequent missed cuts and frustration with the tour's impersonal atmosphere, which he described as a "circus" lacking camaraderie compared to the European Tour. Beyond the , Colsaerts expanded his global play through co-sanctioned events and invitations, including multiple appearances in the Australian Open, where he tied for 18th in 2015 at The Australian Golf Club. He also competed in the Open, a European Tour event with Asian ties, maintaining his form in international fields before prioritizing European commitments. In mid-2014, citing discomfort with the PGA Tour lifestyle and better opportunities abroad, Colsaerts returned full-time to the European Tour.

Later achievements and retirement

In the early 2020s, Colsaerts continued to maintain his DP World Tour membership through consistent performances, culminating in over 500 career starts by the end of the 2025 season, including his milestone 500th appearance at the October 2025 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship where he finished tied for 99th. His resilience was evident amid health challenges, including a rare kidney disease diagnosis in late 2021 that led to a period of depression, yet he rebounded to secure notable finishes such as a tied-sixth place at the 2023 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and a runner-up position in the 2024 edition of the same event. In 2025, across more than 25 starts on the tour as of November 2025, his best result was a tied-17th at the Turkish Airlines Open, demonstrating sustained competitiveness into his early 40s. On September 22, 2025, during the FedEx Open de France, Colsaerts announced his retirement from professional golf at the conclusion of the 2025 DP World Tour season, marking the end of a 25-year career. He cited personal reasons, including the mounting complications of balancing tour demands with family life—particularly wanting more time with his sons to help them connect with their Belgian roots—and a diminishing energy for the rigors of 25 to 30 weeks of annual play. Colsaerts expressed in a Canal+ interview, "I've been contemplating the idea of hanging up my clubs for two or three years, because life makes things a bit complicated to manage... I no longer have the energy to play 25 to 30 weeks a year." Following his retirement, Colsaerts plans to transition into , having already made 26 appearances during the 2025 Race to Dubai campaign and served as a for coverage of the . He noted, "Broadcasting is something that has kind of set itself up in front of me very easily," indicating a desire to remain involved in by sharing his extensive insights rather than pursuing roles.

Competitive results

Professional wins by tour

Colsaerts secured 10 professional victories across various tours during his career, spanning from developmental circuits to the elite level of the DP World Tour. These wins highlight his progression from early struggles on lower-tier tours to breakthrough successes on the global stage.

DP World Tour Wins (3)

Colsaerts achieved three victories on the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour), each marking significant milestones in his career.
DateTournamentVenueWinning ScoreMargin
April 24, 2011Volvo China OpenLuxehills International Country Club, , 264 (−24)4 strokes over Søren Kjeldsen, Peter Lawrie, Richard Sterne, and Simon Dyson
May 20, 2012Finca Cortesin Golf Club, Casares, Match play final1 up over
October 20, 2019Amundi Open de France, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, 272 (−12)1 stroke over Joachim B. Hansen
These triumphs included setting a tournament record at the 2011 Volvo China Open with his 24-under total and defeating a major champion in the 2012 final, while the 2019 victory ended a seven-year .

Challenge Tour Wins (2)

Colsaerts earned his first professional titles on the in 2009, a pivotal year that propelled him toward full DP World Tour status.
DateTournamentVenueWinning ScoreMargin
August 9, 2009SK Golf ChallengeLinna Golf, Vanajanlinna, 277 (−11)Playoff over Andrew McArthur
September 13, 2009Dutch FuturesHoutrak Golf Club, Halfweg, 271 (−17)4 strokes over Julien Quesne and Andrew McArthur
These back-to-back successes in demonstrated his consistency and power off the tee, helping him finish strongly on the developmental tour.

Alps Tour Win (1)

Early in his professional journey, Colsaerts claimed one victory on the Alps Tour, a third-tier European developmental circuit, which provided crucial experience and momentum.
  • May 15, 2005: Open de Bordeaux, , (winning score −23; 6-stroke margin over the field). This early triumph in 2005 underscored his potential shortly after turning pro in 2000. Note: While the event details are confirmed via tour records, primary reporting is limited due to the tour's developmental status.

French Pro Golf Tour Win (1)

Colsaerts also recorded one win on the French Pro Golf Tour (now part of the PGA France Tour), contributing to his development in regional European competition.
  • December 4, 2010: Mauritius Golf Masters, Anahita Golf Club, (winning score −9 (67-73-67=207); 4 strokes over Darren Fichardt). This victory, achieved in the early professional phase, helped build his resume on domestic circuits before ascending to higher levels. Specific event details from this tour are less documented in major outlets, aligning with its national scope.

Other Wins (3)

The remaining three victories came on national and invitational circuits, primarily in , reflecting his roots and early career grind. These included match-play and stroke-play events on the Belgian PGA circuit, such as the 2002 Belgian Match Play Championship and the 2003 Omnium of , along with another regional title. These wins, often against local professionals, provided financial stability and honed his competitive edge in the years following his transition. Details for these lower-profile events emphasize his perseverance rather than exhaustive records, as they predate widespread digital archiving.

Performance in major championships

Nicolas Colsaerts made his debut in a major championship at the but did not make the cut. His breakthrough in majors came in 2012, following his victory at the , which elevated his world ranking and earned him invitations to multiple events that year. Over the course of his professional career, Colsaerts competed in 14 major championships across the four men's majors, making the cut in five instances. His best performances were a tied seventh at the 2012 and a tied tenth at the 2013 U.S. Open, highlighting his competitive edge in those tournaments. Colsaerts' results in the majors varied, with stronger showings on links-style courses like those featured in , where his powerful driving suited the windy, firm conditions. At the 2012 Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, he opened with a course-record-tying 65 and closed with another 65 to finish at 1-under par, tying for seventh. In contrast, he never made the cut at the or in any of his four appearances, often citing challenges with precision on those layouts. His U.S. Open results were mixed but included a career-best tied tenth in 2013 at , where he finished at 7-over par after rounds of 69-74-72-72. Overall, these outings underscored his potential in high-stakes, firm-and-fast setups while revealing inconsistencies in maintaining accuracy under major pressure. The following table summarizes Colsaerts' year-by-year finishes in the major championships (CUT indicates missed cut; DNP indicates did not play; scores provided for made cuts where notable):
YearU.S. Open
2004DNPDNPCUTDNP
2011DNPCUTDNPDNP
2012DNPT27 (288, +8)T7 (279, -1)CUT
2013CUTT10 (287, +7)CUTCUT
2014DNPCUTDNPDNP
2016DNPDNPT46 (290, +6)CUT
2017DNPDNPDNPCUT
2018DNPDNPCUTDNP

Results in World Golf Championships

Colsaerts gained eligibility for the series following his victory at the 2012 , which elevated him into the top 50 of the for the first time, granting access to these elite invitational events featuring the world's top players. Over the next two years, he made seven appearances in the WGC events, competing against fields that included multiple major champions and the highest-ranked professionals, adapting his powerful driving game to demanding layouts while posting solid but unspectacular results. His best performance came at the 2013 WGC-Cadillac Championship, where he finished tied for 18th at 7-under par. Colsaerts reached the round of 16 in the 2013 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, defeating world No. 5 4 and 2 in the second round before falling to 4 and 3. In the stroke-play formats, he consistently made the cut but struggled to contend for top positions, with finishes ranging from tied for 18th to tied for 57th, reflecting his status as a long-hitter in fields dominated by precision players.
YearTournamentFinish PositionScoreTo ParEarnings
2012WGC-Accenture R64--$41,000
2012WGC-Cadillac ChampionshipT35284-4$60,500
2012WGC-Bridgestone InvitationalT45285+1$39,000
2012T54289+1$36,750
2013WGC-Accenture R16--$131,000
2013WGC-Cadillac ChampionshipT18281-7$120,000
2013WGC-Bridgestone InvitationalT57275+9$47,250

Team events

Ryder Cup participation

Nicolas Colsaerts made his sole appearance in 2012 at in , where he became the first Belgian to represent in the biennial team competition. Selected as one of two captain's wildcards by alongside , Colsaerts earned the spot through strong form on the European Tour that season, including his victory at the . As the only on the European team, Colsaerts integrated quickly into the squad's dynamics, benefiting from the experience of veterans like and Sergio Garcia, who partnered with him in early matches. Preparation involved a late-night meeting with Olazábal upon selection, followed by adrenaline-fueled focus leading into the event, where Colsaerts described riding a wave of excitement from the announcement to the first tee. The team emphasized unity and pressure management, with Colsaerts noting the supportive atmosphere helped mitigate nerves despite the high stakes of facing a strong American side led by . Colsaerts competed in four matches, posting a record of 1 win and 3 losses while contributing 1 point to 's eventual victory. He debuted in the Friday afternoon fourballs alongside Westwood against Woods and , delivering a standout performance with eight birdies and an eagle— a record for a Ryder Cup debutant— to secure a 1-up win that set a positive tone for . On Saturday morning, paired with Garcia in foursomes against and , they fell 2 and 1. In the afternoon fourballs with versus and , lost 1 up, leaving the team trailing 10-6 heading into singles. Colsaerts closed with a singles loss to , 3 and 2, hampered by fatigue after three prior sessions. His opening victory proved pivotal in the "Miracle at Medinah," Europe's historic comeback from a 4-shot deficit on Sunday, where they won the first five singles to claim a 14½-13½ triumph. Though Colsaerts did not secure a point that day, his earlier contributions helped maintain momentum, and he reflected on the emotional intensity, tearing up amid the celebrations following Martin Kaymer's clinching putt. In hindsight, Colsaerts called the turnaround "a true ," emphasizing its lasting legacy in defining his career and the unbreakable team spirit that fueled the upset. In 2023, Colsaerts served as a vice-captain for the European team at the Ryder Cup under captain Luke Donald.

Other international team appearances

Colsaerts represented Belgium in the World Cup of Golf on three occasions, partnering with fellow Belgian Jérôme Theunis in 2011 at Mission Hills Haikou, where the duo finished tied for 53rd in the team competition behind winners Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland of the United States, while Colsaerts placed 75th individually. In 2013 at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Colsaerts competed individually for Belgium, finishing 63rd in the individual standings in a format that emphasized both team and individual play, with Australia claiming the team title. His final appearance came in 2016 at Royal Adelaide Golf Club, where he paired with Thomas Pieters, the emerging Belgian talent, to tie for 22nd in the team event, though Denmark secured the victory. Beyond the , Colsaerts contributed to 's efforts in the , participating in 2011 at Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche, where his team fell to and 19.5–14.5 despite his involvement in key matches. He returned in at Golf de Crans-sur-Sierre, helping end a 13-year drought with a narrow 15–13 win over and , highlighted by strong performances in and fourballs. Colsaerts also featured for in the Royal Trophy, debuting in 2012 at The Empire Hotel and Country Club in , where defeated Asia 10–6, with Colsaerts securing a singles victory over Sang-moon Bae. In at Dragon Lake Golf Club, he played a pivotal role in 's comeback from a 7–3 deficit, sinking the winning putt on the 17th green in his singles match against to clinch an 8.5–7.5 triumph. As one of Belgium's pioneering professionals on the global stage, Colsaerts played a significant role in promoting Belgian internationally, mentoring younger players like Pieters and elevating the nation's visibility through consistent team representations that inspired a new generation of talent.

References

  1. https://www.espn.com/golf/player/bio/_/id/1283/nicolas-colsaerts
  2. https://www.pgatour.com/player/23452/nicolas-colsaerts
  3. https://www.europeantour.com/players/nicolas-colsaerts-3456/
  4. https://www.europeantour.com/dpworld-tour/news/articles/detail/500-events-and-a-miracle-nicolas-colsaerts-prepares-for-dp-world-tour-goodbye-2025-alfred-dunhill-links-championship/
  5. https://www.thefriedegg.com/articles/nicolas-colsaerts-ryder-cup-europe-bethpage
  6. https://www.rydercup.com/news-media/nicolas-colsaerts-named-as-vice-captain-for-the-2023-ryder-cup
  7. https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/132674
  8. https://www.europeantour.com/dpworld-tour/news/articles/detail/nicolas-colsaerts-to-retire-at-end-of-dp-world-tour-season-as-500th-start-awaits-at-alfred-dunhill-links-championship/
  9. https://www.facebook.com/teambelgium/posts/the-last-swing-%25EF%25B8%258Fnicolas-colsaerts-the-belgian-bomber-wrote-the-final-chapter-of-/1215661033704862/
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSFVLDpLgvE
  11. https://gulfnews.com/sport/golf-in-uae/local/dubai-resident-nicolas-colsaerts-picks-up-dubai-golden-visa-1.85290538
  12. https://www.where2golf.com/whos-who/nicolas-colsaerts/
  13. https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/nicolas-colsaerts-drags-his-sport-from-backwater-in-home-country-9jxk6k0h0lq
  14. https://www.express.co.uk/sport/golf/346343/Nicolas-Colsaerts-so-grateful-for-gran-s-gift
  15. https://www.golfbytourmiss.com/2012/09/nicolas-colsaerts-the-influence-of-his-grandmother-father-teacher-that-kiss-from-a-girl-named-muriel/
  16. https://www.europeantour.com/dpworld-tour/news/articles/detail/roots-nicolas-colsaerts-presented-by-velocity-global/
  17. https://tucson.com/sports/golf/professional/match-play-notebook-belgian-colsaerts-finding-groove-at-match-play/article_b2bcabb5-c912-588a-8540-199f4347acac.html
  18. https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/26/sports/golf/belgian-golfer-nicolas-colsaerts-makes-first-ryder-cup.html
  19. https://golfbelgium.be/fr/nicolas-colsaerts-annonce-sa-retraite-apres-500-tournois/
  20. https://www.pga.com/archive/pga-america/pga-feature/junior-ryder-cup-boasts-history-showcasing-top-international-juniors
  21. https://www.rydercup.com/news-media/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-junior-ryder-cup
  22. https://www.rydercup.com/news-media/ten-players-you-didnt-know-played-in-the-junior-ryder-cup
  23. https://www.golf.ee/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1999_U18_EM.pdf
  24. https://www.igfgolf.org/pdf/watc-photos-mens/1998-record-book.pdf
  25. https://www.igfgolf.org/pdf/watc-photos-mens/2000-record-book.pdf
  26. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/gwar-rosaforte-report-1105
  27. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/nicolas-colsaerts-profile
  28. https://www.rolex.com/en-us/rolex-family/golf/nicolas-colsaerts
  29. https://cpg.golf/news/olympics/olympic-coaches-michel-vanmeerbeek-nicolas-colsaerts/
  30. https://www.europeantour.com/players/nicolas-colsaerts-3456/career-record
  31. https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2011/04/24/commentary-colsaerts-cautionary-tale/
  32. https://www.europeantour.com/players/nicolas-colsaerts-3456/results
  33. https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/19379504
  34. https://www.owgr.com/playerprofile/nicolas-colsaerts-6893
  35. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/oct/3/colsaerts-closing-in-on-us-membership/
  36. https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/2013/zurich-classic-of-new-orleans/R2013018/past-results
  37. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1675026-us-open-golf-2013-most-shocking-top-10-finishes-at-merion-golf-club
  38. https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/golf-devil-ball-golf/nicolas-colsaerts-laments-pga-tour-s-lack-of-camaraderie-152441053-golf.html
  39. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/lahiri-colsaerts-join-aust-open-field/8utxl2lt4
  40. https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/10596/Nicolas_Colsaerts_Hated_Life_on_the_PGA_Tour.html
  41. https://www.europeantour.com/dpworld-tour/news/articles/detail/a-silver-salver-a-plaque-and-a-birdie-finish-colsaerts-caps-off-emotional-farewell-to-dunhill-links/
  42. https://www.foxsports.com/golf/nicolas-colsaerts-player-results?groupId=5&season=2023
  43. https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/ryder-cup-hero-reveals-career-change-after-announcing-retirement/
  44. https://www.golfmonthly.com/news/ryder-cup-winner-nicolas-colsaerts-retirement
  45. https://www.pga.com/archive/nicolas-colsaerts-sets-new-scoring-record-in-first-career-win-volvo-china-open
  46. https://www.europeantour.com/dpworld-tour/news/articles/detail/colsaerts-claims-volvo-world-match-play/
  47. https://www.europeantour.com/dpworld-tour/amundi-open-de-france-2019/results
  48. https://www.rte.ie/sport/golf/2011/0424/279214-colsaertsn/
  49. https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/50118142
  50. https://www.europeantour.com/hotelplanner-tour/schedule/2009/
  51. https://www.europeantour.com/hotelplanner-tour/news/articles/detail/history-b-nl-challenge-trophy/
  52. https://datagolf.com/player-profiles?dg_id=6893
  53. http://www.golfmajorchampionships.com/players/3111
  54. https://www.theopen.com/previous-opens/141st-open-royal-lytham-st-annes-2012
  55. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/golf/belgium/nicolas-colsaerts-11390/2013-10th-place-at-u-s-open-golf-championship_a32022/
  56. https://www.golfmajorchampionships.com/players/3111
  57. https://www.golfcompendium.com/2018/11/2012-us-open.html
  58. https://www.europeantour.com/dpworld-tour/news/articles/detail/colsaerts-and-poulter-named-as-wild-cards/
  59. https://thegolfnewsnet.com/2013-wgc-cadillac-championship-results-final-leaderboard-prize-money-payout/
  60. https://pgatourmedia.pgatourhq.com/static-assets/page/files/tours/2013/pgatour/worldgolfchampionships-accenturematchplaychampionship/roundInfo/r2-notes.pdf
  61. https://www.nbcsports.com/golf/news/wgc-accenture-match-play-championship-round-3-results
  62. https://www.sbnation.com/golf/2012/2/22/2817781/2012-wgc-accenture-match-play-results-scores
  63. https://thegolfnewsnet.com/2012-wgc-cadillac-championship-results-final-leaderboard-prize-money-payout/
  64. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/08/05/golf-european-pga-tour-wgc-bridgestone-invitational-scores/
  65. https://thegolfnewsnet.com/2012-wgc-hsbc-champions-results-final-leaderboard-prize-money-payout/
  66. https://www.sbnation.com/golf/2013/8/4/4588698/2013-wgc-bridgestone-invitational-prize-money-payout
  67. https://www.golf365.com/features/golf365-history-nicolas-colsaerts-relives-the-2012-ryder-cup
  68. https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/it-was-a-true-miracle-colsaerts-reflects-on-medinah/
  69. https://adamsarson.com/match-play-records/nicolas-colsaerts-match-play-record/
  70. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/sep/29/nicolas-colsaerts-ryder-cup
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