With the Ryder Cup now just days away, Nicolas Colsaerts has suddenly decided he will walk away from the sport, having played a massive role in Team Europe’s victory as recently as 2023
Former Ryder Cup star Nicolas Colsaerts has announced he will soon retire from golf, not long after being snubbed from Team Europe. The Belgian Bomber played a massive role in the continent’s triumph over Team USA in 2023.
The 42-year-old was vice-captain to Luke Donald in Rome, which saw Rory McIlroy and co inspire a stunning 16.5-11.5 victory at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. Despite playing a huge role in the victory, Colsaerts was not selected by Donald for this weekend’s competition at Bethpage Black, New York.
Not long after revealing he was left “disappointed” by the decision, he has announced he will be walking away from the sport when he competes in his 500th competition, having already participated in 498.
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He said: “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 to try to pick up half a point here and there.
“I’m a bit fried. Ultimately the decision was made a while ago. I was already supposed to retire last year and then there was this miracle at Dunhill where I finished second and I realised that I can finish in 500 (tournaments).
“It was close to my heart. It’s one thing that bothered me, not having managed to play 500 tournaments. I’ve been here for 25 years. Since 2001.
“With ups and downs at the beginning. I’m part of the furniture. I know I’ve been pushing myself to the limit for a long time, but these are my last weeks on the European Tour.”
Reacting to Donald’s decision not to select him, the evidently gutted Colsaerts told the Sky Sports Golf podcast: “Yeah, very disappointed. It’s a competition that I live for that has basically been the only thing that will get me out of bed for the last couple of years. Extremely disappointed, yes.
“But the captain is in charge. There are no hard feelings to have about the decision the captain makes. Also, because the respect of the competition and the respect of who is representing us every two years, I would always back them.
“Yes, of course I would have loved to be there and more than that I would have loved to help. It’s the fact that I’m not able to help that I’m disappointed and sad about.
“At the same time, I’m going for a couple of days. I’m going to mingle a little bit with them early in the week and then come back and work with you guys (Sky Sports Golf) on the build-up shows on Saturday and Sunday.
“I would always back the team. I would always wish them good luck. I would always think the world about the guys that are representing us and I hope that we keep the cup.”
As well as the victory in 2023, he also played a role in the Miracle in Medinah triumph in 2012. Most memorably, while paired with Lee Westwood, he sunk several long putts against USA duo Tiger Woods and Steve Strickler to secure a point for Europe.
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