Gurugram:Nicolas Colsaerts made a remarkable start at the $2.5 million Hero Indian Open DP World Tour event on Thursday, establishing himself as an early leader. By teeing off early, he recorded a score of 4-under 68, effectively navigating the beautiful yet challenging DLF Golf and Country Club course.

The 42-year-old Belgian, who is celebrating 25 years as a professional golfer, faced some challenges on the front nine, accumulating three bogeys alongside four birdies. However, he excelled on the back nine, achieving three birdies without any bogeys, which placed him in a tie for the lead with Marcus Kinhult. The 28-year-old Swede also started strong, making three birdies in his first four holes and maintaining a bogey-free back nine, finishing with one additional birdie.

England's Marcus Armitage, in excellent form, matched Colsaerts' score of 4-under 68 in the evening, resulting in a three-way tie for the lead after Day 1.

Six months prior, Colsaerts had not even considered competing in India. His last victory on the DP World Tour was in 2019, and he had faced a serious kidney condition in 2022, which led to bouts of depression stemming from his health struggles.

Initially, he had planned to retire from professional golf, considering the Alfred Dunhill Cup Links Championship last October and the Open de France, the oldest tournament in Europe, as his final events. However, a significant change occurred.

While competing at the historic Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland, Colsaerts found his form, entering the final day of the Alfred Dunhill in contention. He briefly shared the lead with Tyrrell Hatton, who ultimately edged him out for second place with a birdie on the final hole. This performance allowed Colsaerts to regain his DP World Tour card and rediscover aspects of his game that had seemed lost.

He noted in a later interview with DP World Tour, “It’s fascinating how, when you release some of that intense pressure, you can take advantage of opportunities as they come and genuinely appreciate the experience. Suddenly, when you let go of that unnecessary burden…”

Coelsaerts played a pivotal role in the 2012 European Ryder Cup team, which achieved the ‘Miracle at Medinah’, often hailed as the most remarkable comeback in the event's history. During the dramatic contest in Illinois, Europe found themselves trailing 4-10 before entering the final day at 6-10. However, they managed to secure 8.5 points out of the 12 available on the last day, ultimately winning the tournament. Making his debut as a selection by Spanish captain Jose Maria Olazabal, his standout moment came when he teamed up with Lee Westwood to defeat Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker in fourball.

Currently serving as one of Luke Donald’s vice-captains for Europe’s Ryder Cup campaign in the United States this year, the Belgian faced challenges at the 2024 Indian Open, where he missed the cut. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic despite having made only three cuts in 11 tournaments leading up to India.

“It went really well today,” he remarked following his round on Thursday. “This course is quite challenging. Anyone who manages to score under par today will be very pleased. The rough is taller this year, and the greens are firmer. It resembles a mini-US Open.”