Colsaerts Leads with 4-Under 68 at Hero Indian Open!

Gurugram: Nicolas Colsaerts started the first round of the $2.5 million Hero Indian Open DP World Tour with a fantastic bang. The early riser shot a score of 4-under 68 at the beautiful yet challenging DLF Golf and Country Club on Thursday. At 42 years old, Colsaerts is celebrating 25 years as a professional golfer.

Although he struggled on the front nine, with three bogeys and four birdies, he shined on the back nine, scoring three birdies and no bogeys. He was tied for the leading score with Marcus Kinhult, a 28-year-old from Sweden, who also finished with a 4-under 68. Kinhult started strong with three birdies in the first four holes and managed to stay bogey-free on the back nine, adding one birdie.

England’s Marcus Armitage matched their scores, ending the day with a three-way tie for the top score.

Just six months ago, Colsaerts didn’t think he would be playing in India. He hadn’t won a tournament since 2019 and had health issues, including a serious kidney illness in 2022, which led to depression. After considering retirement, he found new hope while playing at the Alfred Dunhill Cup Links Championship in Scotland. He did incredibly well, finishing in second place, which earned him a spot back on the DP World Tour.

“It’s funny how when you don’t feel so much pressure, you can take chances and enjoy the game,” he said in a later interview. Colsaerts was also a key player in Europe’s amazing comeback during the 2012 Ryder Cup, helping his team win despite being down by a big score. He missed the cut in the 2024 Indian Open but feels good about his game, even after just three successful rounds in his last eleven tournaments.

“Today was great,” he said after his round. “This course is tough, so anyone who scores under par should feel happy. The rough is high this year, and the greens are tough. It’s a bit like a mini-US Open.” He understands the challenges the course presents, saying, “If you play well, you’ll enjoy it. I want to stay patient, remember that making pars is good, and if I can get some birdies, that’s amazing. Everyone will make bogeys, so just keep the ball in play.”