Nicolas Colsaerts officially announced his retirement last year, but the former European Ryder Cupper wanted to make one more walk on the DP World Tour before bidding farewell to professional golf.
There’s no better place to say goodbye than at the place that’s closest to your heart — home.
Colsaerts made his 505th and final career start on the DP World Tour this week at the Soudal Open in his home country of Belgium. The 2012 Ryder Cupper made his way around Rinkven International G.C. in Antwerp in 1-over 72 in the first round, meaning that he arrived on Friday, knowing that the next 18 holes were likely to be his final as a professional.
“The Belgian Bomber” bogeyed his third hole but then made an eagle at the par-5 fifth to send a roar through his home country one last time. He followed with birdies at 6, 7 and 8 but played his final 10 holes in 2 over to miss the cut by two.
“Listen, I really gave it a great run,” Colsaerts said after his round. “It was a little bit like Colsaerts of old on the front nine. I started to believe again. I forgot what it felt like. When that putt for eagle went in, it was probably the biggest roar that I’ve heard in a couple of years. It was absolutely amazing. It’s just a shame that I couldn’t really cap it off with playing the weekend. But I gave it a good run in Colsaerts style. I was up and down all day, which has been the story of my life.”
When he reached the 18th — the final hole of his tournament and pro career — Colsaerts made the emotional walk with his parents, his wife, Rachel, and his sons, Jackson and Oliver, alongside him. As Colsaerts reached the 18th green, his playing partners — good friends Marcel Siem and Alexander Levy — and family dropped back to let him soak in the moment and adoration from the crowd as he wiped the tears from his eyes.
“As you can tell, it means the world,” an emotional Colsaerts said. “When you walk a fairway like this with your whole family and your parents, look, there I go again. It’s only normal. I’ve learned the last couple of years that it’s OK to show emotions. I have no problem with it. I just hope that people will understand what it means to the majority of us to do this for a living — to have good times but to also navigate the bad times. This is why there’s tears. It’s a lot to take.”
Colsaerts tapped in for a closing par and then broke down while hugging Siem and Levy as the Belgian crown gave its hero a proper sendoff.
Colsaerts’ pro career, which started in 1998, included wins at the Volvo China Open, Volvo World Matchplay and the French Open. He finished T7 at the 2012 Open and T10 at the 2013 U.S. 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 Friday fourballs at Medinah. That was the only point Colsaerts recorded at the Ryder Cup, but it was vital in what wound up being a miraculous comeback for the Europeans.
Colsaerts’ pro sendoff has included goodbyes at the Alfred Dunhill Links at St. Andrews, the French Open, and in Australia. But Friday in Belgium was the final, and most meaningful goodbye, for the long-bombing Belgian. As he prepared to step both feet into retirement, the 2012 Ryder Cupper exited with a message to all those who love the game that has given him so much.
“Thank you to everyone who has followed, that has clicked on my name, that has clapped wherever that would’ve been around the world,” Colsaerts said. “We’ve been everywhere. I’ve had a lot of fun doing this. But all good things come to an end. I don’t have the gas anymore. But I’ve had an absolute blast, so don’t feel bad for me.
“Just keep going to the golf course. It’s a wonderful game. It drives you nuts 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.