Belgium's first Ryder Cup player Nicolas Colsaerts admits his wild days are behind him as he ponders his debut appearance.
Belgian admits his Ryder Cup inclusion is a dream come true
Belgium's first Ryder Cup player Nicolas Colsaerts admits his wild days are behind him as he ponders his debut against the United States in Medinah.
The 29-year-old was one of two wildcard picks by European captain Jose Maria Olazabal on Monday as he completed his side for the defence of the cup on American soil.
Colsaert's selection caps a remarkable transformation, with the European Tour's biggest-hitter got his career back on track after a lifestyle of partying threatened to take precedent.
Three years ago Colsaerts, talented enough to have played in the Junior Ryder Cups of 1997 and 1999, was ranked 1,305th in the world and looked a lost soul.
Right path
But now up to 35th in the rankings, he is thankful he chose the right path.
"I knew I was going to be a bit of a clown at one stage of my life, but I've always said I had my mid-life crisis at 25," he said. "It's a pretty good thing - I got it out of the way. I was told a million times, but it has to come from you.
"It's a bit of a fairy story, I know, but I'm just living proof that anybody can do it. If you want something badly it's only a matter of time if you put the work in and you still have the passion.
"I never lost faith of one day maybe being in the position I'm in today."
Ian Poulter, the second of Olazabal's wildcards, said he was honoured to represent Europe for the fourth time.
"I take a lot of pride in my Ryder Cup record I feel I've given an awful lot to the Ryder Cup and you guys have seen what it means to me," he said.
"To have been to Ryder Cups as a kid, to see the passion that I saw come out in so many people, I'm honoured to be able to give that passion back."
