I am so chuffed and excited about my second round today, a four under par 67 in the €3 million Open de France, at Le Golf National in Paris, on the DP World Tour.
My round had no bogeys, which not many of the leading players will have matched this week, over this challenging 7,247-yard, par 71 course that hosted the 2018 Ryder Cup.
Starting on tee 10, I birdied both holes 13 and 14 and survived the closing finish 15-18, unscathed with pars, always a sign you are playing well.
Lovely phrase
I then turned for home on holes 1-9 and managed another birdie on the fourth and secured my third 2’s Club of the week on the 8th, my 17th and parred the 9th to be around in four under par.
As I post this Daily Diary I am tied 32nd and comfortably through to the weekend. That is a lovely phrase to both write and listen to.
The runaway leader on 15 under par is Rasmus Hojgaard, the form player of the week so far. Even Rasmus has had a bogey in each of his first two rounds, so I beat him in that category.
He however, has accumulated 17 birdies in his 36 holes. That is an achievement anywhere in the world on any golf course, from any tees, but this is Le Golf National.
Steadying influence
Rasmus, as I write, has a six-shot lead that might be smaller or larger when all players have completed their second rounds, but we will see.
Maybe, the steadying influence, is my wife, Rachel, being with me all week is assisting my mind and thought process and so much more.
Even she said she was very proud of me today, and impartially said I was only a centimetre or two away from getting a further four or so birdies — that is praise indeed.
Thanks to Aviv Clinics
I have felt strong and energised this week and over the last couple of months, and thanks must go to Mike Frayne and all the team at Aviv Clinics, Dubai for all their hard week with me along with all their mental games, mental exercises and tasks while in the Aviv Oxygen chambers.
I am convinced the recent three-month intensive programmes has got me prepared, both mentally and physically, to the level I am now, and I believe I am only just beginning my rehabilitation process, which is an exciting statement to say. I know you all know that Aviv are my personal sponsors with their logo on my shirt, and believe they deserve this appropriate shout out!
Just to report on my playing partners: Robert MacIntyre is tied sixth on five under after a second round 70 and Dubai-based Adrian Meronk, matched my second round 67 to be tied 23rd and three under par after 36 holes.
Our first two round pairing of MacIntyre, Meronk and myself has seen a couple of days where we all gelled and encouraged each other, that kept us all going. I only wish that spirit and confidence happened every round of every week.
The halfway cut is currently at level par.
— Nicolas Colsaerts, 39-year-old is a Dubai Golden Visa Awardee. He is a three-time tournament winner on the DP World, a member of Team Europe in The 2012 Ryder Team in Medinah and is an Ambassador for Aviv Clinics, Dubai.
