Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts is quitely confident of making his Ryder Cup debut this year whether as a fully qualified member of Jose Maria Olazabal’s side or as a ‘wildcard’ pick.

Colsaerts is currnetly lying 11th and just one place outside the current top-10 on the European Team points table.

In fact, Colsaerts is just 4.78 points behind 10th placed Sergio Garcia and 18.19 points behind Germany’s Martin Kaymer, lying in ninth position.

However the big-hitting Belgium, like those above him on the table, also has the benefit of contesting the two events that could eventually decide European Team selection – this week’s $US 8.5m WGC – Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio and next week’s PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.

Nicolas Colsaerts discusses his Ryder Cup plight with Bernie. (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

Colsaerts is making his debut in both events qualifying for the Bridgestone Inviational courtesy of his Volvo World Match-Play Championship earlier this year and making his PGA debut on the back of his current No. 33 World Ranking.

“I’m really excited to be here as it’s the first time I played this event, and then to be also playing the PGA Championship is great,” he said.

“I’ve been a pro for a long time but this year and last year is only the first time I’ve played events in the States.

“I played the U.S. Open last year and this year I’ve played the WGC – Cadillac Championship, the U.S. Open and the Memorial.

“So after I play the PGA Championship the only Major left for me to play is the Masters and hopefully if I stay inside the top-50 by the end of the year, I will be heading to Augusta next year and that would be awesome.”

But forefront on the mind of the 29-year old Belgium-born Colsaerts is trying to qualify for the Ryder Cup.

Aside from a second Race to Dubai success this year, Colsaerts has been one of the most consistent performers this season with seven other top-10s including seventh in his last event, the Open Championship.  His final round 65 at Royal Lytham and St. Annes was easily the lowest on the last day and has seen him jump to fifth on the Race to Dubai.

“That’s been the big key to my golf this year, my consistency,” he said.

“I finished second in my defence of the Volvo China Open and was then seventh in the Spanish Open before winning the Volvo World Match-Play.

“But then finishing seventh in the Open Championship was a big step forward for me and I hope it shows to everyone I can perform at the highest level.

“I know also if I have two good weeks out here in the States I can put real pressure on those guys just ahead of me on the Ryder Cup points table.

“But while I would love to qualify automatically, I am hoping that Jose Maria will acknowledge how consistent my golf has been this year and consider me as one of his ‘Captain’s’ picks if I should finish 11th or 12th on the points table.

“Yes, it’s going to be better if I qualify automatically but then I feel as though I can be paired with anyone that would make me an asset to the team.

“However if it doesn’t happen this year then I’m confident I can make the team in two years time.”