Robert Jan Derksen had only ever seen bars of gold in the movies – now he has one of his own.
The Dutchman aced the 12th hole at the UBS Hong Kong Open on Saturday to win a 1kg gold bar worth US$15,000 courtesy of title sponsor UBS.
“It’s a very nice reward,” he said. “I think I’ll keep it in my house. It’s a pity to trade it in for real money, I just prefer the gold. I’ve seen them in movies. It’ll be good to look at the gold bar later.
“It was unbelievable. We play a lot of golf and we have a lot of chances. You need a bit of luck as well.”
Derksen’s golden moment at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling came during a round of 68 that left him four under for the tournament.
The par-three 12th is a brand new hole, 144 yards with a small lake guarding the front left of the green. After watching playing partner Thomas Bjorn come up short, Derksen took out a nine iron and went for the pin.
“It started right and the wind was coming up from the right as well. And it went in! My caddie and Thomas said there wasn’t any doubt at all and it was always looking good. It was a nice shot.”
Derksen revealed it was his “fifth or sixth” hole in one, but his first on the European Tour and the first one for which he’d received a reward.
