Robert-Jan Derksen has played his 394th and last European Tour event after calling time on his professional career following the final round of the Turkish Airlines Open by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The Dutchman won two European Tour titles in a pro career spanning 18 years, with his victory in the 2003 Omega Dubai Desert Classic – where he closed with a round of 65 to beat Ernie Els by one shot – the undoubted highlight of his time on the top tier.
The 40 year old spent 15 full seasons on The European Tour, finishing a career-high of 36th in the Money List in 2007.
An aviation enthusiast, Derksen was presented with a personalised miniature aeroplane by Richard Hills, The European Tour’s Ryder Cup Director, and he will now take a complete rest for the next six months before deciding which new career path to take.
Derksen said: “It’s been a fantastic 18 years. I had my share of good fortune and wins. I feel it’s time for a change, and that change might mean something else in golf, or it might not mean something in golf at all. But I’m sure it will be something good, and I’m already looking forward to the next stage of my life.
“To finish in these circumstances, with a birdie on the last hole of one of the best tournaments on The European Tour in sunny weather, that’ll do nicely for me. I’ve got a big smile on my face now, and I’m sure it’ll stay there for a while to come.”
