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Nicolas Colsaerts ready to put Miguel Angel Jimenez to the test at Hong Kong Open

Belgian is looking forward to opportunity to dethrone Spaniard, who is the 'King at Fanling' having won four times

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Belgium's Nicolas Colsaerts lines up a putt at the Portugal Masters at Oceanico Victoria Golf Club in Vilamoura. The third and final round was abandoned because of bad weather. Photo: EPA

A week watching his peers at the Ryder Cup - rather than playing with them - has spurred Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts into action as he eagerly heads east for this week's US$1.3 million Hong Kong Open and the Asian swing of events.

Colsaerts produced the greatest round by a Ryder Cup rookie in the "Miracle at Medinah" in 2012, but missed out on Europe's successful defence at Gleneagles two weeks ago.

And with the wind in his sails after his second-place finish to Frenchman Alexander Levy at the Portugal Masters, which was called at 36 holes after Sunday's final round was ababdoned due to heavy rain, the "Belgian Bomber" is a big threat to Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, winner of the past two Hong Kong Opens, and four in all.

The key to playing these old-school tree-lined courses is to just play the way it's designed
Nicolas Colsaerts

After winning a wild-card pick for the Ryder Cup team in a stellar 2012, the 31-year-old Colsaerts was never in contention for the 2014 edition and commentated on the event in Scotland instead.

"It made it even worse actually, working there. It reminded me even more that I wasn't in the team. But it made me even more eager to play in it again, just being around the team and the guys," said Colsaerts, who plundered eight birdies and an eagle at Medinah in the Friday foursomes with Lee Westwood to beat Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker in the 2012 Ryder Cup.

"It was cool to be there and see it from another side. It was cool just being involved - not as much as I'd like to be obviously - and just being around the practice ground and the course and talking trash with the guys for a few days.

"Hopefully, I'll be back on the team for 2016 and many more after that."

Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain holds the trophy after winning the Hong Kong Open last year. Photo: AP
Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain holds the trophy after winning the Hong Kong Open last year. Photo: AP
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