Ryder Cup star felt he was “dreaming” when beating Tiger Woods at Medinah

Nicolas Colsaerts has been looking back at his astonishing performance on his Ryder Cup debut in 2012, when he played so well against Tiger Woods that he felt like he could have been dreaming.

Colsaerts had already made history as the first Belgian to play in the event, and he then became the first Belgian to win a Ryder Cup point when he partnered Lee Westwood to a 1 up victory over Woods and Steve Stricker in Friday's fourballs.

It was Europe's only win of that session, but it ultimately proved a decisive point when all was done and dusted after the most thrilling final day the contest has ever witnessed.

Westwood was a virtual bystander as Colsaerts defied the difficulty of playing against one of the best golfers in history and produced some inspired golf of his own.

He was 10-under par with his own ball, reeling off eight birdies and an eagle in what could go down as the best debut match in the Ryder Cup.

Speaking as a guest on the Sky Sports Golf podcast, Colsaerts said his form was so good, he felt he could have been in dreamland!

"I look back and I think how did I not wake up in the middle of that round? It was just too good, it just couldn't be real," he said.

"The Ryder Cup was something extremely dear to me, and something I always wanted to be a part of. Team sports was always something I had in my DNA.

"The first Ryder Cup I ever saw was 1991 at Kiawah Island, the War on the Shore. So that was a proper introduction to what the rivalry between the US and Europe was about.

"And Medinah wasn't far from that. It was a very intimidating atmosphere to play under, but that's what makes the Ryder Cup so captivating and incredible."

And what possessed him on that Friday afternoon?

"I made eight birdies and an eagle, but I also hit the hole on the 1st, I horseshoed on the 3rd and I made 5 on the par-5 14th with a 5-iron in my hand, so it could have been something absolutely incredible," he added.

"But we were saved at the end when Tiger missed a 15-footer for a half. On the 18th green, I lagged to gimme range and turned to Lee Westwood and said, 'I don't know if I have the balls to watch this!'

"He just looked at me and said 'might as well watch it'. Woods missed his putt, so that was a point for us with a 1 up win.

"And after being the first Belgian to play in the Ryder Cup, I was now the first Belgian to win a point in the Ryder Cup, and that's something to be proud of."