Colsaerts the man to catch at KLM Open
Nicholas Colsaerts finished with a flier at the first round of the KLM Open earlier today, the big-hitting Belgian ending his round eight-under-par 62 to take the clubhouse lead at Hilversumsche golf club.
The Brussels-born 27-year-old is the longest hitter on the tour this year, but it wasn't just his driver that was in overdrive today. Colsaerts picked up early birdies on the 2nd and 7th before going bananas on the back nine, carding birdies on the 11th, 13th and 14th before finishing with a trio on the 16th, 17th and 18th.
That gave the Challenge Tour graduate a flawless opener that sees him lead his nearest challenger, England's Kenneth Ferrie, by two. Ferrie finished with an eagle on the 18th for a six-under 64, an encouraging score for the 31-year-old who needs some good finishes over the remainder of the season to be sure of keeping his tour card.
Those tied for third place include Scotland's Richie Ramsay and Englishmen Ross Fisher and Nick Dougherty, each on five-under, while Spain's Pablo Larrazábal and Gonzalo Fdez-Castaño are tied with Argentina's Tano Goya for sixth place on four-under. With almost half the field yet to start though, standings could quickly change, though Colsaerts' opening will take some catching.
Matteo Manassero put in a less showy performance after his impressive turn at the Omega European Masters last week. The 17-year-old Italian finished the day on two-under, having carded four birdies but also a couple of bogeys.
South Africa's Charl Schwartzel had a similarly quiet round, coming home on level par. That was more impressive than his compatriot Louis Oosthuizen, who seems to have gone off the boil since that unexpected victory at the Open in July. The 27-year-old finished his round three-over-par 73.
Italy's Francesco Molinari tees off later this afternoon, though his brother and fellow Ryder Cup team-mate is giving this tournament a miss after finishing as runner-up at last week's European Masters in the Swiss Alps.
Another Ryder Cup player in action this afternoon is Martin Kaymer, the gifted young German who denied Bubba Watson in a play-off to win the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits earlier this year.
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