If Thomas Pieters and Nicolas Colsaerts bring the form they displayed in their Ryder Cup debuts to the World Cup of Golf, there is every chance they will deliver Belgium’s first victory in the event.
The powerful pairing, who both average excess of 300 yards off the tee on the European Tour this year, will strike fear into their opponents when they line up in black, yellow and red at Kingston Heath Golf Club, November 24-27.
Rising star Pieters, a three-time winner on the European Tour, announced his arrival on the global stage with a sensational display in his Ryder Cup debut at Hazeltine National, claiming four points out of a possible five to become the highest-scoring rookie in the event’s history.
His superb performance brought back memories of Colsaerts’ dazzling display at Medinah in 2012, when the Belgian made eight birdies and an eagle in the Friday four-balls to hold off Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker almost singlehandedly. His playing partner Lee Westwood, a man not prone to exaggeration, labelled it “the best Ryder Cup debut I’ve ever seen”.
“It was very exciting to play in the Olympics for Belgium as a singles. Now to get to play for Belgium in a team competition with Thomas, if it clicks with us and we play well together, it could be an incredible week,” Colsaerts said.
Belgium’s best finish in the World Cup of Golf came in 1955, when Arthur de Vulder and Flory Van Donck finished in a tie for fourth.
But if Colsaerts can create history and raise the Belgian flag on November 27, his love affair for Australia will be cemented forever.
“It was very exciting to play in the Olympics for Belgium as a singles. Now to get to play for Belgium in a team competition with Thomas, if it clicks with us and we play well together, it could be an incredible week,” Colsaerts said.
Belgium’s best finish in the World Cup of Golf came in 1955, when Arthur de Vulder and Flory Van Donck finished in a tie for fourth.
But if Colsaerts can create history and raise the Belgian flag on November 27, his love affair for Australia will be cemented forever.
