Nicolas Colsaerts is known to be, to use his own vernacular, "one cool cat". And so he proved yesterday, high-fiving his way back from a final round 69, punctuating slaps with a series of "hey dudes" and "thanks, mans". Yet the Belgian became uncharacteristically animated during Raphael Jacquelin's interview with European Tour television. Colsaerts, having taken a spot behind the camera, flailed arms and jumped around as if his feet where on fire, while Jacquelin tried his best to maintain focus.
The banner on the Earth Course bore the name of Michael Clark. Not many visiting fans would have been familiar with the popular former employee of Jumeirah Golf Estates who lost his battle with cancer a few weeks ago. His colleagues and friends ensured his memory lives on with that touching tribute. In January a memorial golf day will be held in his honour.
Padraig Harrington's recent moustache is wholly justified, considering the Irishman is raising money for the prostate cancer charity "Movember". It seems to have gone down well, too, with fans yesterday chortling in various languages and blurting out the odd "Tom Selleck". Although, there was one disagreeable voice out there: namely, Mrs Harrington. When asked if she hoped the facial hair was here to stay, Caroline replied: "You must be joking!"
While in the past his previously dodgy eyesight made for the perfect excuse in times of trouble, Sergio Garcia is swiftly realising corrective eye surgery can leave him clutching for straws. Take Saturday, when he had little to work with as he tried explaining his double-bogey, double-bogey finish. However, the Spaniard won't give his recently acquired 20/20 vision any undue credit either, preferring instead to attribute yesterday's 64 to an increased "feel" with the putter. Seeing is believing.
For four days fans hung around each of the Earth Course's four par-3 greens, hoping to witness a rare hole-in-one. Then yesterday yielded two. Stephen Gallacher registered the first, on the fourth, and no doubt thought he would have to put his hand in his pocket in the clubhouse. Joost Luiten lessened the hit, though, the Netherlands player later sinking an ace at the sixth. Wonder if they decided to "go Dutch".
If at first you don't succeed, try and try again. Or so it was yesterday on the final green at the Earth Course. Charl Schwartzel's touch deserted him every time this week he putted on 18 for eagle. A couple of three-putts secured disappointing pars, yet his third attempt finally brought some solace. "I didn't even think what my scorecard was," he said. "I was just happy to two-putt."
