Defending champion Nicolas Colsaerts is determined to mount a strong defence of his China Open title this week.
The big-hitting Belgian, 16/1 with bookmaker to repeat his success of 2011, goes up against a classy field which includes the likes of Paul Casey, Peter Hanson, Paul Lawrie and Ian Poulter.
However, Colsaerts believes that the confidence gained from victory 12 months ago has made him a stronger player, while it also allowed him to play in the US Open for the first time in his career.
Colsaerts told the European Tour’s official website: “After ten years of trying to win, I finally did it and it really helped me to realise how good I could be.
“It set me on a whole new career path and really helped me fulfil a lot of the potential I knew I had.”
Colsaerts is 7/1 to be the top Continental European in China, with Masters star Hanson 11/2 and Jose Manuel Lara 20/1.
