RYDER CUP hero Nicolas Colsaerts has announced he will retire from golf.
The Belgian wants to reach 500 tournaments before he hangs up his clubs for good.
GettyNicolas Colsaerts has announced he will retire from golf[/caption]
GettyThe Belgian was Team Europe vice-captain in the Ryder Cup two years ago[/caption]
GettyHe played a key role in the Miracle at Medinah in 2012[/caption]
He has played in 498 tournaments following his showing at the French Open, where he finished T49 on one under.
Colsaerts has ten professional wins to his name and he revealed he almost quit last year before a second place at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship made him reconsider.
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. And 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.”
Ryder Cup 2025 – all the info
The Ryder Cup is back THIS WEEK as Team Europe hope to defend their crown on American soil
Luke Donald‘s team has travelled to New York ahead of the big start on Friday.
Europe has dominated the prestigious competition in the 21st century, winning eight of the 11 meetings since 2002.
But only two of those wins have come in the United States, with Team USA winning both the 2021 and 2016 competitions.
In fact, Team Europe has only won one of the four Ryder Cups held in the US – 2012 – since their win there in 2004 and Team USA enter as the odds-on bookies’ favourites.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Ryder Cup 2025…
WATCH THE RYDER CUP 2025 ON SKY SPORTS
All the info
Dates, time, confirmed teams and format
Is there prize money?
Latest news
McIlroy reignites DeChambeau feud days before Ryder Cup
EXCL – I played the brutal course and embarrassed myself
Donald aims swipe at Team USA over pay dispute
Meet the Team Europe WAGs
Brooklyn Beckham and Catherine Zeta-Jones star in All-stars match
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
Colsaerts, 42, played a big role in the Miracle at Medinah at the 2012 Ryder Cup.
He was paired with Lee Westwood in a fourball match against US pair Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker and sunk several long putts to help Team Europe to a point.
Colsaerts also played a role in Team Europe’s Ryder Cup win two years ago, acting as vice-captain to Luke Donald.
However this time around he has not been selected by Donald, a decision which left him extremely disappointed.
He told Sky Sports Golf podcast: “Yeah, very disappointed, because 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.”
