1st Nov 2011 | WGC HSBC Champions
HSBC Champions Golf Tips: Nicolas Colsaerts
Won in China back in April and has a further top-10 to his name. Looks to be finally fulfilling his huge talent.
A debutant at the event, I’m going for the leftfield pick of Nicolas Colsaerts. Still only 28 it is amazing to think the talented Belgian has been on tour since the year 2000. At 18-years-old he turned pro and successfully navigated his way through qualifying school to secure his card, the second youngest player ever to do so.
It is fair to say his career has stuttered since, including several years spent on the Challenge Tour. In 2011, he finally achieved his breakthrough in the Volvo China Open. The win qualified him for this HSBC Champions event and it must be a great feeling to return to the country.
This is not just a sentimental tip. As we have seen with Simon Dyson and Lee Westwood it is not uncommon for European players to repeat good play all over Asia. This pattern could be about to repeat itself with Colsaerts, who finished eight in the China Open prior to his win.
The young Belgian is also a prodigious ball striker, he ranks 8th on tour for driving distance and 5th for GIRs. With damp conditions forecast, his length off the tee could give him an advantage over his rivals.
His form coming into the event is also good, with two top-15 finishes in September, including a ninth place in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. A third place in the Volvo Match Play and T3 at the Scottish Open shows he can compete at this level. At 80/1 with Paddy Power he rates a good each way bet, with ¼ odds for a top five finish.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 16:03 1st Nov, 2011 but subject to change
