However, there are valid reasons for his dip in form. Three years ago, Colsaerts was admitted to Mediclinic Parkview Hospital in Dubai, where doctors discovered fluid and multiple blood clots in his lungs, caused by a rare kidney disease called primary membranous nephropathy. He described the discovery as “the scariest day of my life”.
Although he nearly missed one of the best days of his life yesterday – finishing just one shot behind Tyrrell Hatton at St Andrews, which would have secured his fourth DP World Tour title – he A second-place finish should be enough to extend his career.
As a non-member, Colsaerts is not eligible for Race to Dubai points, but he did make a significant jump up the Race to Dubai non-member standings, soaring 74 spots to 11th. This gives him every chance of achieving the provisional cut-off (No. 27) for DP World Tour Category 10 Challenge Tour Ranked Membership or Associate Membership.
“It means a lot,” Kolsatz said.
“I have to thank the tour and all the promoters I’ve known over the years for giving me 15 or 16 opportunities this year to really try and get a job again.
“But listen, I feel like I'm part of the furniture. That's been my life for over 20 years. I don't know, it looks like we're going to go back to the carousel.”
As well as all but ensuring qualification for next season, Colsaerts has also given himself a chance to compete in next month's HSBC Championship in Abu Dhabi.
As a non-member, he must earn as much or more than the 70th-placed man in the Race to Dubai standings to secure a spot in the Yas Links Rolex Series event.
He currently has 670.12 points, while Adrien Saddier, who was 70th on the trip to Dubai, has 667.18 points.
Colsaerts will have a chance to score more points at this week's French Open, where he won his last DP World Tour title in 2019.
