Colsaerts to be Ryder Cup vice

LUKE DONALD has picked Nicolas Colsaerts to be his third vice-captain at the Ryder Cup in Rome in September. The 40-year-old joins Thomas Bjorn and Edoardo Molinari in Donald’s support team for Europe’s clash with the US, which will fall 11 years after his role in the Miracle of Medinah. Making his debut, the Belgian memorably carded eight birdies and an eagle in partnership with Lee Westwood to defeat Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker. Colsaerts, a three-time winner on the DP World Tour, said: ‘My first reaction when Luke asked me was sheer joy. Every time I hear the words “Ryder Cup” it takes me back to the edition I played in, how proud I was to wear the European colours and be part of such an unbelievable event. ‘Of course, Luke was in that team too and when we spoke he mentioned how much he has always loved what the Ryder Cup means to me. Being a vice-captain is a different role to being a player but, nevertheless, my mission in 2023 will be exactly the same as it was in 2012: to make a contribution in any way I can. ‘Rest assured, whatever I am asked to do, I will do it.’ Donald added: ‘Nico has been on my mind for a couple of months now. He understands what it means to represent the European crest and what it means to be part of the Ryder Cup set-up. When I asked him he literally had goosebumps, so I am very happy to have him as my third vice-captain.’