Colsaerts has ‘mental’ edge
Gregory Bourdy can expect a tough mental battle when he faces off against Nicolas Colsaerts at in the first round of the Paul Lawrie Match Play in Aberdeen, Scotland on Thursday.
Both Bourdy and Colsaerts are experienced match play golfers, but the latter’s title winning performance for Europe at the 2012 Ryder Cup and as an individual at the Volvo World Match Play Championship that same year give him an edge on paper – if not necessarily with the bookies, with Paddy Power giving the Frenchman the edge in the outright betting stakes.
Colsaerts credited both victories to his mental strength, and predicted that mind games would play an important part again this week.
“You’ve got to understand how the game evolves and what frame of mind your opponent is in,” Colsaerts told the European Tour website.
“There’s more psychology involved because you are only facing one direct opponent who is there playing with you. The mental game is even more important.
“You might get bad bounces or your opponent holes a putt and you need to control your emotions. You have to read what’s going on with the other guy.
“You can concede putts and there are some mind tricks you can play, obviously keeping within the etiquette and rules of the game, but you have to show your opponent you’re there and he’s going to have go out and beat you.”
Colsaerts added that a good score on the first six holes is always crucial in any match play tournament because the pressure of playing against one opponent increases with every hole.
He will be playing for his second European Tour title at the Murcar Links Golf Club.
The Belgian has struggled for form in 2015, however, missing the cut in seven of his 15 starts on the European Tour.
His best result this year came in June at the Nordea Masters, where he finished tied for seventh on five-under.
Do you fancy Colsaerts’ Match Play experience to make the difference in Aberdeen this week? If so, visit Paddy Power to back the Belgian at 40/1.
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