04colsaerts nearing history
nicolas colsaerts took a big step toward becoming the first belgian to
play ryder cup golf when he won the volvo world match play cham-
pionship at finca cortesin in the south of spain. the 29-year-old from
brussels saw off former u.s open champion graeme mcdowell, 1 up, in
the final to claim the €700,000 first-place check and jump into both the
world’s top 50 players and (if he maintains the position) an automatic
spot on the european team that will contest the biennial matches at me-
dinah in september. as did last year’s winner, ian poulter, the long-hitting
colsaerts survived into the 16-strong knockout stage despite failing to
win either of his two group matches. only after a playoff against former
masters champion charl schwartzel did he advance. “this means every-
thing,” said the new champion, who averages 316 yards off the tee. “i felt i
had a pretty good shot at it last year in the same format, and i was a little
disappointed not to get to the final. but this makes up for that. two days
ago i was in my room taking a nap, thinking i was going to fly home. so it
means so much to be here. it’s fantastic.” —John Huggan (@johnhuggan)
andre w redington/getty images
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