The Open: Nicolas Colsaerts edging closer to major

RYDER Cup star Nicolas Colsaerts is confident of making an impression at the Open on his first visit to Muirfield this week.

The Belgian believes he is closing in on a major breakthrough as he familiarises himself with the East Lothian course ahead of the start of the tournament tomorrow. Colsaerts, 30, finished tenth at the US Open in June and enjoyed his best major placing of tied seventh at Royal Lytham last year.

He is also in good heart after a strong showing at last week’s Scottish Open at Castle Stuart, where he finished joint eighth after four sub-70 rounds.

Colsaerts, who showed his liking for the big time with the best round by a Ryder Cup rookie in Europe’s dramatic team success last year, said: “I have never played Muirfield before, but I have been told a million times it is one of the fairest of the Open courses, so I am quite looking forward to seeing what it is like.

“I fancy my chances every time I tee off. Even last week if I had played a bit better I would have been a lot closer than I was. It is great to head to the Open with the game in decent shape.”