Belgian bomber Colsaerts carries Europe to win
29 Sep 2012 - 00:47:15
Belgian bomber Nicolas Colsaerts was a one-man wrecking crew Friday, spearheading Europe to a 1-up win over Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker in Ryder Cup afternoon fourballs.
Colsaerts finished with eight birdies and an eagle as the European Tour's driving distance champ flashed his all-around game Friday at the Medinah Country Club.
Woods led a late charge by the Americans, posting three birdies on the final five holes after struggling mightily off the tee in the morning foursomes.
But the 14-time major winner played second fiddle on Friday to Colsaerts who made most birdies in an opening round for a Europe Ryder Cup rookie.
Colsaerts and Lee Westwood took their first lead of the match on the ninth hole when Colsaerts hammered home a 22 footer for his fifth birdie on the front nine.
Colsaerts is the longest hitter on the European Tour with a 317 yard average and he is the first player from Belgium to play in this event.
The 29-year-old Colsaerts posted his first top 10 in a major championship this summer by finishing tied for seventh at the British Open.
He made a birdie putt on the par-four fourth to win the hole for Europe after Woods rolled his birdie attempt six feet past the hole.
Woods and Stricker are coming off a loss in the Friday morning foursomes, while Westwood teammed up with Francesco Molinari to win his foursome.
Woods, who was all over the place off the tee in the the morning foursomes, gave the US the lead with a birdie on the par-four No. 1.
