‘A dream come true’: This European Ryder Cupper is calling it a career in the most heartwarming fashion

Former Ryder Cup star Nicolas Colsaerts has been handling his DP World Tour farewell with aplomb, soaking in everything that comes with a swansong after choosing this week’s Soudal Open in his native Belgium, his 505th start on the European circuit, to officially wave goodbye. Colsaerts, 43, looked ice cool in the opening round at Rinkven International G. C.

in Antwerp, wearing a Royal Melbourne hat—a nod to his Australian wife Rachel’s heritage—while carding a commendable one-over-par 72. Then Friday morning arrived. A wave of emotions struck the likeable Brussels native with the velocity of one of his prodigious drives.

With the 36-hole cut projected at two under, Colsaerts, now a full-time commentator on LIV Golf, was cognizant it could be his final round. “Because [retirement] has been brewing for a couple of years, it had been OK until this morning,” Colsaerts told Golf Digest via phone before his second round. “If I don't shoot 68, I might not play on the weekend.

And having played 18 holes only three times this year, the odds are probably against me. Not surprisingly under the circumstances, Colsaerts has become introspective about about his career—three wins, a Ryder Cup appearance in 2012, €10. 7 million in career earnings, one of 50 players to reach 500 starts on the European Tour after his debut in 1998.