Paul McGinley congratulated Nicolas Colsaerts on being picked for the European Ryder Cup team and then advised the Belgium rookie being in the team was like jumping into a fast flowing stream.

McGinley bumped into Colsaerts as he was making his way to the Player’s Lounge at this week’s Centenary Dutch Open.

After the congratulatory remarks on making the team, McGinley then spent close to 30 minutes casually chatting with the Belgium on what to expect being a member of the European Team.

McGinley touched on so many practicalities the 29-year old will face from what to wear to Heathrow Airport for the flight to Chicago, what to expect on arrival at the team hotel, the role of the vice-captains, tickets for family and friends and even the number of suitcases he’ll be given to bring home Team attire.

The triple Ryder Cup winning Dubliner also detailed practice schedules, what he should do if he wakes up at 2am in the morning feeling hungry but of more importance the sense of security Colsaerts should enjoy with Olazabal as captain.

“The build-up to the Ryder Cup is always really exciting but once you get there, you’ll hit the ground running and you will feed off the other guys,” said McGinley to Colsaerts.

“You will feed off the past experiences of everyone who has played on the team.

“It will be like jumping into a fast flowing stream as you will be carried along by the flow of the water.

“The great thing is that you will be in a team where there are 11 guys who have been there before

“I remember my first Ryder Cup as I just went to a different level and now my only wish is that it had translated into individual tournament success.

“There will of course be a serious side to the Ryder Cup but there is always an element of fun and with Sergio there this year will be great for the team.

“But then before you know it (clicks his fingers), it will be all over so you have to enjoy it while you can.”

And with Colsaerts contesting this week’s Dutch Open and the following week’s Italian Open, McGinley stressed to the Belgian the importance of his week off prior to travelling to Chicago.

“Make sure that last week you chill out as you are going to need that,” he said.

“What you don’t want to be doing is thinking that you have to up every morning practicing hard and working out in the gym, as that’s going to burn you out.”

There was further conversation before both players headed then their separate ways and with Colsaerts now very much the wiser for the time spent in McGinley’s presence.

“Paul was just fantastic and this is why I am playing these two weeks, to hear what people like Paul have to say and to use that information and the detail to help prepare myself,” said Colsaerts.

And Colsaerts will get more advice as he is playing the opening two Dutch rounds in the company of Olazabal and fellow teammate, Martin Kaymer.

McGinley, with caddy ‘Edinburgh Jimmy’ back on the bag, joins fellow Medinah vice-captain, Darren Clarke as among seven Irish contesting this week’s Euro 1.8m event.

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