Colsaerts ends drought with victory Open de France
This was a third victory in the European Tour for Nicolas Colsaerts, but his first since winning the World Match Play Championship 2012 in Spain, the final standings of the Open de France-12 N Colsaerts (Bel); -11 JB Hansen (Den); -10 G Coetzee (SA); 9 K Kitayama (USA); -8 M Kaymer (Ger), R Ramsay (Sco), G Moynihan (Ire) Selected others: -7 C Paisley (Eng); -6 S Brown (Eng); -5 S. Horsfield (Eng); -2 J Donaldson (Wal); +1 S Gallacher (Sco) Full Scoreboard
Former Ryder Cup player Nicolas Colsaerts has won his first title since 2012 at the Open de France.
Despite carding a one-over-par 72 in the last round at Le Golf National, the Belgian ended one shot for Joachim B. Hansen from Denmark.
Colsaerts started the week 114 on the European Tour & # 39; s Race to Dubai and threatened to lose his card.
"I come here because I don't know how many years it has been," he told Sky Sports.
"So many people have supported me over the years, that's why I get so emotional. I've been through so many years of ups and downs."
The last years for Colsaerts were far removed from 2012 when he was chosen as a wildcard by Captain Jose Maria Olazabal to be part of the European team that the & # 39; Miracle of Medinah & # 39; picked up when they came from 10 -4 down to beat the US 14.5-13.5.
Now ranked 424th in the world, rounds of 67, 66 and 67 had him a three-stroke lead on the way to the final round, but there was a lot of drama ahead.
His advantage was gone before he broke into an eagle three on the 14th to go back for Hansen.
But he shot into the water on the 15th to launch a double bogey six while the Dane was handed the lead.
Still, Hansen staggered with his own double bogey on the 17th, allowing Colsaerts to hold his third European Tour title and first since May 2012.
