A spectacular seven under par 65 enabled Robert-Jan Derksen to complete a fairytale story by capturing his first European Tour title, holding off the reigning Open Champion and World Number Two Ernie Els to win the Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club.
Derksen, who graduated from the European Tour Qualifying School last November, started the final round three shots behind the leaders and surged through the field with five birdies and an eagle to set the clubhouse target of 17 under par 271 which the defending champion could not match, leaving the 29 year old Dutchman as the fifth first time winner on The 2003 European Tour International Schedule.
“Before this year I never thought I could win,” said Derksen. “But I started believing in myself a bit more this year. Ernie was kind to make a bogey on the last yesterday so I thought, three strokes behind, I had a chance if I played well. I needed a bit of luck but that is what I got today.”
Courtesy of the European Tour / Image: Credit: Getty Images